anyone in the bay area just see what looked like a huge rocket launch straight up in the air?what was it?ARC?

Question

im in SF, looking south, generally towards San Jose, and towards ARC. and just saw something leaving a jet trail going straight up in the air, it looked like it never stopped. anyone know what this was. It is 11:52 am you can prob still see the trail

i am situated right in SF (north beach area) looking south towards downtown SF and it looked like it was coming from somewhere very close by: Vand. AFB seems like it would be too far. As it was going up, it seemed like it was picking up speed the higher it got, until i could no longer see because i am inside a building (might not have left atmosphere yet). Almost positive it was not a plane, i have seen jettrails from planes @ very high altitudes before, and the trajectory and speed of this one was unlike anything ive seen. def made me think some sort of rocket right away. i know that NASA has a base in the general direction of where it was coming from, i didnt think they launched anything from there, but they do have HUGE hangars so im not sure. my second thought, (im no rocket scientist) was maybe it was some private launch, a la richard bronson for virgin....any other thoughts? the trails has by now dissipated and is barely visible. apx time i saw this was 11:35-11:40

i am right in SF (north beach area) looking south towards downtown SF and it looked like it was coming from somewhere very close by: Vand. AFB seems like it would be too far. As it was going up, it seemed like it was picking up speed the higher it went, until i could no longer see because i am inside a building (might not have left atmosphere yet). Almost positive it was not a plane, i have seen jettrails from planes @ very high altitudes before, and the trajectory and speed of this one was unlike anything ive seen. def made me think some sort of rocket right away. i know that NASA has a base in the general direction of where it was coming from, ames research center, i didnt think they launched anything from there, but they do have HUGE hangars so im not sure. my second thought, (im no rocket scientist) was maybe it was some private launch, a la richard bronson for virgin....any other thoughts? the trails has by now dissipated and is barely visible. apx time i saw this was 11:35-11:40

Answer 1

I've found this
Nike Missile Sites of the San Francisco Bay Area
http://u.webring.com/hub?ring=nikesite
check for location and you might find your answer.

I'm sure it was a missile test of some sort.

http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=37.69225,-122.44791&z=19&t=S

possibly?

Answer 2

A rocket trail would stop as soon as the rocket leaves the portion of the atmosphere where it can make a visible trail. OTOH, a plane traveling in parallel with the surface of the Earth will leave a trail that looks "infinite". Are you sure you did not see a plane?

But as others have pointed out, Vandenberg and some of the missile units might launch something without telling the public about the exact dates.

Answer 3

Hello:

I am located in North Carolina way over on the East Coast. I just ran outside and looked up to see if i could see anything. The largest thing I saw was a C-130 Hercules aircraft approaching the Cherry Point Marine Base in Havlock, NC.
There were no visable rocket trails in the sky or unusual
objects flying across the horizon here. So I guess what you
spotted was some kind of local event originating at Van or the local airport at SJ or ARC.

Regards,
Zah

Answer 4

It could be a rocket launch from Vandenberg AFB.

.

Answer 5

I can't see it from where I am; Generally, I'd say that you're seeing a launch from Vandenberg, but I could be wrong.

Answer 6

No I am with computer away from windows. I look when I go out.