Rocket off the French Coast 18/11/23

[Flyit Pointit Sortit]

I was flying overhead NTS last night and saw a Rocket going into space but can’t find any information about it. Can anyone shed some light? This was a photo taken of separation around 1815Z

FPS.


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1504/img_0510_33f48df8d9c2259c20cc16380d8069ec95a7052f.jpeg

[megan]

The failed SpaceX launch?

[Flyit Pointit Sortit]

A little off track for Space X…….

[airseb]

It was an icbm test from the french army.

https://bnn.network/world/france/france-asserts-strategic-prowess-with-successful-icbm-test/

[Max Angle]

I saw a test in the same area many years ago, pretty spectacular. The French missile subs are based on the western tip of the Brest Peninsular so I guess they take a little steam out of base and shoot for somewhere in the Atlantic. I suspect the launch timing is chosen to allow the plume to be illuminated at altitude by the recently set sun.

[Less Hair]

IIRC they have land and sea based test launch pads over there. There is no need for submarines to launch anything. Sort of the french Vandenberg.

We went on vacation in the Les Landes area some years ago. Nice seaplane museum at Biscarosse.
https://www.hydravions-biscarrosse.com/the-museum.php

[JanetFlight]

Here it is my friend...i saw the entire event here in southern Portugal...wow....it was simply amazing <3


https://www.barrons.com/news/france-says-successfully-tests-ballistic-missile-6cee866d?refsec=topics_afp-news&fbclid=IwAR0nLvFH87B4arH_6M38mNEcoHE23ECDHVxolaBVpvtrYw6_zD3 _SAdpMIM

[Bogner]

I was flying overhead NTS last night and saw a Rocket going into space but can’t find any information about it.



Great picture! What did you take it with?

We heard the chatter and saw the glow, but sadly didn’t get a decent view because of a thin layer of cloud.

[Lonewolf_50]

Lovely photo! Thanks.

[Flyit Pointit Sortit]

Thanks for the info guys.

The photo was taken by the RHS pilot using an IPhone 15. I’m not technologically more competent than that!

cheers

FPS

[BigBoreFour]

Silly question, because since you can’t just blast off (no pun intended) into the sky in an aircraft unannounced (all things being equal), does a military or country or rocket agency need some kind of permission on a world scale to launch a rocket?

Does one need to contact the World Federation of Rocket Launching Association? (WFRLA).

Can anyone just launch a rocket onto low orbit without some kind of permission or notice?

[601]

Can anyone just launch a rocket onto low orbit without some kind of permission or notice?


This requirement does not apply in the Middle East

[BigBoreFour]

This requirement does not apply in the Middle East


Well, if only I had read the 1967 Outer Space Treaty first.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outer_Space_Treaty

https://ts2.space/en/is-it-illegal-to-launch-into-space/#gsc.tab=0 (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outer_Space_Treaty)


Q: Can anyone launch a rocket into space?
A: No, individuals or companies must obtain authorization from their government and adhere to international and national laws.

Q: What happens if someone launches without permission?
A: Unauthorised launches can result in legal action, fines, and international disputes. (< like war?)

Q:Are there any areas of space off-limits to private companies?
A: The Outer Space Treaty prohibits ownership of celestial bodies, but does not explicitly restrict areas of space for private use.

[El Grifo]

Thanks for the info guys.

The photo was taken by the RHS pilot using an IPhone 15. I’m not technologically more competent than that!

cheers

FPS


One of, but not the only reason I retired recently from a 43 yr long Professional Photography Career :-)

El Grifo