Beginners: ULA AFSPC-11 Pre-Launch Gallery

Hey Patrons!

I’ve set up my remote cameras for ULA’s AFSPC-11 mission this evening.

The Atlas V is scheduled to lift off at 7:13 PM from Space Launch Complex-41 here in Cape Canaveral, Florida!

Thanks to all of you, I have some improvements set up at this launch.

For SpaceX’s CRS-14, I gave my Pluto triggers one last shot and they failed me. So I’ve invested in 4 MIOPS sound triggers (which friends like Tom Cross of Teslarati use) and they come highly recommended. I used one at Falcon Heavy and didn’t have any problems – so we’ll see how this launch goes!

I’ve also got plastic file boxes, converted into camera protection units. These help shield the cameras from rain, sun, but most importantly the solid rocket booster and debris thrown around on the launch pad.

They are pretty basic right now. There is a 1/4″ hole through the bottom for the arca-swiss tripod plate to secure to the camera inside and they have a 3.5″ x 5″ rectangular hole on the other side for the camera to look out of.

For this launch, I have UV filters acting as the front element of each of the lenses I am using because the SRB exhaust combines with the water from the sound suppression system and creates hydrochloric acid. Depending on the wind and where your cameras are on the launch pad, if this acid gets on the front of your lenses it will create pits in the glass and feel almost like a porous rock that you use as a foot scrubber in the shower.

I can easily dispose of these UV filters if necessary after the launch, but this protects the real front element of the lens so I can avoid a costly repair.

Here are a few shots I took after setting up my cameras pre-launch: