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Army Preps For Missile Launch To Spur Calls Across Southwest

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities across the Southwest are preparing to be inundated with calls and emails from people who might catch a glimpse of the contrail that will be left behind by an early morning missile test.

Officials at White Sands Missile Range say the Juno missile will be launched Thursday morning from an old military depot in western New Mexico.

On its way to White Sands, the missile will drop a booster into a safety zone north of Datil, New Mexico. Roadblocks have been set up in the area.

A similar launch in 2012 created a buzz when reports flooded in about a colorful contrail that was visible from southern Colorado, Salt Lake City, Phoenix and Las Vegas.

This time, officials are sharing information about the launch with communities as far away as Palm Springs, California.