Launch of the DELTA IV Heavy at Vandenberg SLC-6

I’ve always wanted to see a big rocket launch. When we found out that one of the largest rockets was launching from Vandenberg Air Force Base…we just high tailed it up to Lompoc. Here is a 360° degree video I shot of the Delta IV Heavy rocket that launched on January 19th. It sure was loud. Felt the roar of the engines as it disappeared into space. We viewed from a farm road just outside of the base. It’s next to impossible to get closer to the SLC-6 launch site as a civilian.

Here is the Vandenberg rocket launch video. I was so amazing to see and feel in person.

Video by – Alexander Westerman | © 2020

Where to view launches from:

There’s actually not a lot of specified or verified info on where to view the various Vandenberg rocket launch sites. We should have done some onsite reconnaissance the day before but decided just to make it a day trip from LA. Wish more of the YouTube videos had more detailed notes on the actual locations the video was shot from. That’s why I tried to be as detailed as I could.

Here’s where I viewed the Vandenberg rocket launch from:

Floradale Ave &, W Ocean Ave
Lompoc, CA 93436, USA

34.639848, -120.493141
34°38’23.5″N 120°29’35.3″W

Mission Details:
• Rocket Type: Delta IV Heavy
• Mission: NROL-71
• Launch Date: Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019
• Launch Time: 11:05 a.m. PST
• Launch Location: Space Launch Complex 6, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California

Mission Information: United Launch Alliance used the Delta IV Heavy rocket to launch the NROL-71 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office. In case you’re wondering…it’s a spy satellite.

Camera I Used

For this 360° rocket launch video, I used the 360fly HD. Not the greatest resolution. It’s great in controlled environments and at closer ranges. The main bummer I have is the software intake degrades the captured video to make the file more manageable. But I haven’t found a way to get at the raw file on the camera itself not using their official software.