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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, technicians give NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft a final cleaning. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date is still to be determined. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd1037

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility,...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, technicians give NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft a final cleaning. The GLAST is a powerful space observ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, technicians conduct black light inspection on NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date is still to be determined. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd1036

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, technicians conduct black light inspection on NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft. The GLAST is a powerful s... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, technicians conduct black light inspection on NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date is still to be determined. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd1034

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, technicians conduct black light inspection on NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft. The GLAST is a powerful sp... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, technicians install insulation blankets around the star tracker sunshades on NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date is still to be determined. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd1031

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, technicians install insulation blankets around the star tracker sunshades on NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecr... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, technicians install insulation blankets around the star tracker sunshades on NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date is still to be determined. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd1032

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, technicians install insulation blankets around the star tracker sunshades on NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecr... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, technicians give NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft a final cleaning. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date is still to be determined. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd1038

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, technicians give NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft a final cleaning. The GLAST is a powerful space observ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., technicians lift and move via an overhead crane NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft onto a transporter. The spacecraft is being prepared for its move to the Hazardous Processing Facility for fueling. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date is still to be determined. Photo credit: NASA/Mike Kerley KSC-08pd1127

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., technicians lift and move via an overhead crane NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft onto ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., technicians check various parts of NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft after its transfer to a transporter. The spacecraft is being prepared for its move to the Hazardous Processing Facility for fueling. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date is still to be determined. Photo credit: NASA/Mike Kerley KSC-08pd1131

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., technicians check various parts of NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft after its transfer... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., technicians monitor NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft as it is lowered onto a transporter. The spacecraft is being prepared for its move to the Hazardous Processing Facility for fueling. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date is still to be determined. Photo credit: NASA/Mike Kerley KSC-08pd1130

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., technicians monitor NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft as it is lowered onto a transport... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., the overhead crane continues to lower NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft onto the transporter. The spacecraft is being prepared for its move to the Hazardous Processing Facility for fueling. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date is still to be determined. Photo credit: NASA/Mike Kerley KSC-08pd1129

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., the overhead crane continues to lower NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft onto the transp... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., technicians check various parts of NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft after its transfer to a transporter. The spacecraft is being prepared for its move to the Hazardous Processing Facility for fueling. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date is still to be determined. Photo credit: NASA/Mike Kerley KSC-08pd1132

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., technicians check various parts of NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft after its transfer... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., technicians attach the cables to the overhead crane that will be used to lift NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft. The spacecraft is being prepared for its move to the Hazardous Processing Facility for fueling. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date is still to be determined. Photo credit: NASA/Mike Kerley KSC-08pd1125

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., technicians attach the cables to the overhead crane that will be used to lift NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Teles... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., technicians prepare NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft for attachment of an overhead crane. The spacecraft is being prepared for its move to the Hazardous Processing Facility for fueling. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date is still to be determined. Photo credit: NASA/Mike Kerley KSC-08pd1124

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., technicians prepare NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft for attachment of an overhead cra... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., technicians lower the overhead crane onto NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft. The spacecraft is being prepared for its move to the Hazardous Processing Facility for fueling. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date is still to be determined. Photo credit: NASA/Mike Kerley KSC-08pd1126

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., technicians lower the overhead crane onto NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft. The space... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., technicians begin placing a protective cover over NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft. GLAST is being prepared for its move to the Hazardous Processing Facility for fueling. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date is still to be determined. Photo credit: NASA/Mike Kerley KSC-08pd1134

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., technicians begin placing a protective cover over NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft. G... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft is being prepared for its move to the Hazardous Processing Facility for fueling. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date is still to be determined. Photo credit: NASA/Mike Kerley KSC-08pd1123

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft is being prepared for its move to the Hazardous Proc... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., technicians stretch protective cover over NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft. GLAST is being prepared for its move to the Hazardous Processing Facility for fueling. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date is still to be determined. Photo credit: NASA/Mike Kerley KSC-08pd1135

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., technicians stretch protective cover over NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft. GLAST is ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., technicians check the NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft after being lowered toward the transporter. The spacecraft is being prepared for its move to the Hazardous Processing Facility for fueling. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date is still to be determined. Photo credit: NASA/Mike Kerley KSC-08pd1128

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., technicians check the NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft after being lowered toward the... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., technicians stretch protective cover over NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft. GLAST is being prepared for its move to the Hazardous Processing Facility for fueling. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date is still to be determined. Photo credit: NASA/Mike Kerley KSC-08pd1136

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., technicians stretch protective cover over NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft. GLAST is ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft is moved out of the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla. It is being transported to the Hazardous Processing Facility for fueling. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date still is to be determined. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd1137

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope,...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft is moved out of the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla. It is being transported to the Hazardou... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility, technicians prepare the payload attach fitting that will receive NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft. The fitting will eventually be used to mate GLAST to the Delta II launch vehicle. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date still is to be determined. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd1356

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility,...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility, technicians prepare the payload attach fitting that will receive NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft. The fi... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility, technicians lower NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft toward the payload attach fitting. The fitting will eventually be used to mate GLAST to the Delta II launch vehicle. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date still is to be determined. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd1359

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility,...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility, technicians lower NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft toward the payload attach fitting. The fitting will ev... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility, NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft is being prepared for a move to an payload attach fitting, in the foreground, that will eventually be used to mate GLAST to the Delta II launch vehicle. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date still is to be determined. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd1353

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility,...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility, NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft is being prepared for a move to an payload attach fitting, in the foregr... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility, NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft will be installed on this payload attach fitting that will eventually be mated to the Delta II launch vehicle. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date still is to be determined. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd1354

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility,...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility, NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft will be installed on this payload attach fitting that will eventually be ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility, NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft is being prepared for a move to an payload attach fitting that will eventually be used to mate GLAST to the Delta II launch vehicle. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date still is to be determined. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd1352

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility,...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility, NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft is being prepared for a move to an payload attach fitting that will event... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility, technicians check the attachment of NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft on the payload attach fitting. The fitting will eventually be used to mate GLAST to the Delta II launch vehicle. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date still is to be determined. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd1361

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility,...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility, technicians check the attachment of NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft on the payload attach fitting. The f... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility, technicians prepare NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft for its move to the payload attach fitting that will eventually be used to mate GLAST to the Delta II launch vehicle. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date still is to be determined. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd1355

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility,...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility, technicians prepare NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft for its move to the payload attach fitting that will ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility, technicians begin lifting and moving NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft for its move to a payload attach fitting that will eventually be used to mate GLAST to the Delta II launch vehicle. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date still is to be determined. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd1357

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility,...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility, technicians begin lifting and moving NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft for its move to a payload attach fit... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility, technicians lower NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft toward the payload attach fitting. The fitting will eventually be used to mate GLAST to the Delta II launch vehicle. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date still is to be determined. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd1358

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility,...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility, technicians lower NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft toward the payload attach fitting. The fitting will ev... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility, technicians check the placement of NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft on the payload attach fitting. The fitting will eventually be used to mate GLAST to the Delta II launch vehicle. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. A launch date still is to be determined. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann KSC-08pd1360

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility,...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility, technicians check the placement of NASA's Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft on the payload attach fitting. The fi... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility, building 1032, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers remove the shipping container cover over the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, spacecraft, delivered from spacecraft facilities in Dulles, Va., by Orbital Sciences. After the protective coverings over the spacecraft are removed, blanket preparations and edge taping will be done, followed by mechanical preparations and work on the electronic ground support equipment. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. The observatory is targeted to launch Jan. 15 from Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg. Photo credit: NASA/Robert Hargreaves Jr., VAFB KSC-08pd3842

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload proc...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility, building 1032, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers remove the shipping container cover over the Orbiting Ca... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Trucks roll onto Vandenberg Air Force Base in California to deliver the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, spacecraft, shipped from spacecraft facilities in Dulles, Va., by Orbital Sciences, builder of the spacecraft. The observatory will be taken to Astrotech payload processing facility, building 1032. After the protective coverings over the spacecraft are removed, blanket preparations and edge taping will be done, followed by mechanical preparations and work on the electronic ground support equipment. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. The observatory is targeted to launch Jan. 15 from Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg. Photo credit: NASA/Robert Hargreaves Jr., VAFB KSC-08pd3837

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Trucks roll onto Vandenberg Air F...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Trucks roll onto Vandenberg Air Force Base in California to deliver the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, spacecraft, shipped from spacecraft facilities in Dulles, Va., b... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, spacecraft, shipped from spacecraft facilities in Dulles, Va., by Orbital Sciences, has been moved inside the Astrotech payload processing facility, building 1032, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. After the protective coverings over the spacecraft are removed, blanket preparations and edge taping will be done, followed by mechanical preparations and work on the electronic ground support equipment. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. The observatory is targeted to launch Jan. 15 from Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg. Photo credit: NASA/Robert Hargreaves Jr., VAFB KSC-08pd3840

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Orbiting Carbon Observatory, ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, spacecraft, shipped from spacecraft facilities in Dulles, Va., by Orbital Sciences, has been moved inside the Astrotech payload proc... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility, building 1032, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers get ready to attach a crane to the shipping container cover over the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, spacecraft, delivered from spacecraft facilities in Dulles, Va., by Orbital Sciences. After the protective coverings over the spacecraft are removed, blanket preparations and edge taping will be done, followed by mechanical preparations and work on the electronic ground support equipment. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. The observatory is targeted to launch Jan. 15 from Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg. Photo credit: NASA/Robert Hargreaves Jr., VAFB KSC-08pd3841

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload proc...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility, building 1032, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers get ready to attach a crane to the shipping container co... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, spacecraft, shipped from spacecraft facilities in Dulles, Va., by Orbital Sciences, arrives at the Astrotech payload processing facility, building 1032, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. After the protective coverings over the spacecraft are removed, blanket preparations and edge taping will be done, followed by mechanical preparations and work on the electronic ground support equipment. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. The observatory is targeted to launch Jan. 15 from Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg. Photo credit: NASA/Robert Hargreaves Jr., VAFB KSC-08pd3838

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Orbiting Carbon Observatory, ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, spacecraft, shipped from spacecraft facilities in Dulles, Va., by Orbital Sciences, arrives at the Astrotech payload processing faci... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, spacecraft, shipped from spacecraft facilities in Dulles, Va., by Orbital Sciences, is moved into the Astrotech payload processing facility, building 1032, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. After the protective coverings over the spacecraft are removed, blanket preparations and edge taping will be done, followed by mechanical preparations and work on the electronic ground support equipment. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. The observatory is targeted to launch Jan. 15 from Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg. Photo credit: NASA/Robert Hargreaves Jr., VAFB KSC-08pd3839

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Orbiting Carbon Observatory, ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, spacecraft, shipped from spacecraft facilities in Dulles, Va., by Orbital Sciences, is moved into the Astrotech payload processing f... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility, building 1032, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers apply blankets and edge tape to the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO. After the protective coverings over the spacecraft are removed, blanket preparations and edge taping will be done, followed by mechanical preparations and work on the electronic ground support equipment. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. The observatory is targeted to launch Jan. 15 from Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg. Photo credit: NASA/Robert Hargreaves Jr., VAFB KSC-08pd3846

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload pro...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility, building 1032, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers apply blankets and edge tape to the Orbiting Carbon Obs... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility, building 1032, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, is displayed after blankets and edge tape were applied. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. The observatory is targeted to launch Jan. 15 from Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg. Photo credit: NASA/Robert Hargreaves Jr., VAFB KSC-08pd3848

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload pro...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility, building 1032, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, is displayed after bla... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility, building 1032, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers check the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO. After the protective coverings over the spacecraft are removed, blanket preparations and edge taping will be done, followed by mechanical preparations and work on the electronic ground support equipment. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. The observatory is targeted to launch Jan. 15 from Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg. Photo credit: NASA/Robert Hargreaves Jr., VAFB KSC-08pd3845

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload pr...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility, building 1032, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers check the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO. After t... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility, building 1032, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, is displayed after blankets and edge tape were applied. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. The observatory is targeted to launch Jan. 15 from Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg. Photo credit: NASA/Robert Hargreaves Jr., VAFB KSC-08pd3847

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload proc...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility, building 1032, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, is displayed after blan... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility, building 1032, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers remove the wrapping from around the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO. After the protective coverings over the spacecraft are removed, blanket preparations and edge taping will be done, followed by mechanical preparations and work on the electronic ground support equipment. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. The observatory is targeted to launch Jan. 15 from Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg. Photo credit: NASA/Robert Hargreaves Jr., VAFB KSC-08pd3843

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload pro...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility, building 1032, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers remove the wrapping from around the Orbiting Carbon Obs... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility, building 1032, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers remove the wrapping from around the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO. After the protective coverings over the spacecraft are removed, blanket preparations and edge taping will be done, followed by mechanical preparations and work on the electronic ground support equipment. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. The observatory is targeted to launch Jan. 15 from Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg. Photo credit: NASA/Robert Hargreaves Jr., VAFB KSC-08pd3844

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload pro...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility, building 1032, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers remove the wrapping from around the Orbiting Carbon Obs... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., the shipping container holding NASA's Kepler spacecraft is moved into a clean room. After removal from the container, the spacecraft will be rotated to vertical, uncovered and prepared for initial testing. A NASA Discovery mission, Kepler is specifically designed to survey our region of the Milky Way galaxy to discover hundreds of Earth-size and smaller planets in or near the habitable zone and determine how many of the billions of stars in our galaxy have such planets. Results from this mission will allow us to place our solar system within the continuum of planetary systems in the Galaxy. After processing at Astrotech, Kepler will be carried to its launch pad at Cape Canaveral. NASA's planet-hunting Kepler mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than March 5 atop a Delta II rocket. Photo credit: NASA/Chris Rhodes KSC-2009-1019

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility i...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., the shipping container holding NASA's Kepler spacecraft is moved into a clean room. After removal from the container, th... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., NASA's Kepler spacecraft is rolled into a clean room. The spacecraft will be rotated to vertical, uncovered and prepared for initial testing. A NASA Discovery mission, Kepler is specifically designed to survey our region of the Milky Way galaxy to discover hundreds of Earth-size and smaller planets in or near the habitable zone and determine how many of the billions of stars in our galaxy have such planets. Results from this mission will allow us to place our solar system within the continuum of planetary systems in the Galaxy. After processing at Astrotech, Kepler will be carried to its launch pad at Cape Canaveral. NASA's planet-hunting Kepler mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than March 5 atop a Delta II rocket. Photo credit: NASA/Chris Rhodes KSC-2009-1025

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility i...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., NASA's Kepler spacecraft is rolled into a clean room. The spacecraft will be rotated to vertical, uncovered and prepared... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., NASA's Kepler spacecraft is rolled out of its shipping container. The spacecraft will be rotated to vertical, uncovered and prepared for initial testing. A NASA Discovery mission, Kepler is specifically designed to survey our region of the Milky Way galaxy to discover hundreds of Earth-size and smaller planets in or near the habitable zone and determine how many of the billions of stars in our galaxy have such planets. Results from this mission will allow us to place our solar system within the continuum of planetary systems in the Galaxy. After processing at Astrotech, Kepler will be carried to its launch pad at Cape Canaveral. NASA's planet-hunting Kepler mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than March 5 atop a Delta II rocket. Photo credit: NASA/Chris Rhodes KSC-2009-1024

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility i...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., NASA's Kepler spacecraft is rolled out of its shipping container. The spacecraft will be rotated to vertical, uncovered ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., doors are opened on the shipping container holding NASA's Kepler spacecraft. After removal from the container, the spacecraft will be rotated to vertical, uncovered and prepared for initial testing. A NASA Discovery mission, Kepler is specifically designed to survey our region of the Milky Way galaxy to discover hundreds of Earth-size and smaller planets in or near the habitable zone and determine how many of the billions of stars in our galaxy have such planets. Results from this mission will allow us to place our solar system within the continuum of planetary systems in the Galaxy. After processing at Astrotech, Kepler will be carried to its launch pad at Cape Canaveral. NASA's planet-hunting Kepler mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than March 5 atop a Delta II rocket. Photo credit: NASA/Chris Rhodes KSC-2009-1021

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility i...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., doors are opened on the shipping container holding NASA's Kepler spacecraft. After removal from the container, the space... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., workers prepare the mobile stand for removal of NASA's Kepler spacecraft from its shipping container. After its removal, the spacecraft will be rotated to vertical, uncovered and prepared for initial testing. A NASA Discovery mission, Kepler is specifically designed to survey our region of the Milky Way galaxy to discover hundreds of Earth-size and smaller planets in or near the habitable zone and determine how many of the billions of stars in our galaxy have such planets. Results from this mission will allow us to place our solar system within the continuum of planetary systems in the Galaxy. After processing at Astrotech, Kepler will be carried to its launch pad at Cape Canaveral. NASA's planet-hunting Kepler mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than March 5 atop a Delta II rocket. Photo credit: NASA/Chris Rhodes KSC-2009-1023

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility i...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., workers prepare the mobile stand for removal of NASA's Kepler spacecraft from its shipping container. After its removal,... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In a clean room at the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., workers prepare to rotate NASA's Kepler spacecraft. Kepler will then be uncovered and prepared for initial testing. A NASA Discovery mission, Kepler is specifically designed to survey our region of the Milky Way galaxy to discover hundreds of Earth-size and smaller planets in or near the habitable zone and determine how many of the billions of stars in our galaxy have such planets. Results from this mission will allow us to place our solar system within the continuum of planetary systems in the Galaxy. After processing at Astrotech, Kepler will be carried to its launch pad at Cape Canaveral. NASA's planet-hunting Kepler mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than March 5 atop a Delta II rocket. Photo credit: NASA/Chris Rhodes KSC-2009-1026

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In a clean room at the Astrotech payload proce...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In a clean room at the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., workers prepare to rotate NASA's Kepler spacecraft. Kepler will then be uncovered and prepared for initi... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., doors are opened on the shipping container holding NASA's Kepler spacecraft. After removal from the container, the spacecraft will be rotated to vertical, uncovered and prepared for initial testing. A NASA Discovery mission, Kepler is specifically designed to survey our region of the Milky Way galaxy to discover hundreds of Earth-size and smaller planets in or near the habitable zone and determine how many of the billions of stars in our galaxy have such planets. Results from this mission will allow us to place our solar system within the continuum of planetary systems in the Galaxy. After processing at Astrotech, Kepler will be carried to its launch pad at Cape Canaveral. NASA's planet-hunting Kepler mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than March 5 atop a Delta II rocket. Photo credit: NASA/Chris Rhodes KSC-2009-1020

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility i...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., doors are opened on the shipping container holding NASA's Kepler spacecraft. After removal from the container, the space... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In a clean room at the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., workers prepare to rotate NASA's Kepler spacecraft. Kepler will then be uncovered and prepared for initial testing. A NASA Discovery mission, Kepler is specifically designed to survey our region of the Milky Way galaxy to discover hundreds of Earth-size and smaller planets in or near the habitable zone and determine how many of the billions of stars in our galaxy have such planets. Results from this mission will allow us to place our solar system within the continuum of planetary systems in the Galaxy. After processing at Astrotech, Kepler will be carried to its launch pad at Cape Canaveral. NASA's planet-hunting Kepler mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than March 5 atop a Delta II rocket. Photo credit: NASA/Chris Rhodes KSC-2009-1027

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In a clean room at the Astrotech payload proce...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In a clean room at the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., workers prepare to rotate NASA's Kepler spacecraft. Kepler will then be uncovered and prepared for initi... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., the open doors of the shipping container reveal NASA's Kepler spacecraft. After removal from the container, the spacecraft will be rotated to vertical, uncovered and prepared for initial testing. A NASA Discovery mission, Kepler is specifically designed to survey our region of the Milky Way galaxy to discover hundreds of Earth-size and smaller planets in or near the habitable zone and determine how many of the billions of stars in our galaxy have such planets. Results from this mission will allow us to place our solar system within the continuum of planetary systems in the Galaxy. After processing at Astrotech, Kepler will be carried to its launch pad at Cape Canaveral. NASA's planet-hunting Kepler mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than March 5 atop a Delta II rocket. Photo credit: NASA/Chris Rhodes KSC-2009-1022

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility i...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., the open doors of the shipping container reveal NASA's Kepler spacecraft. After removal from the container, the spacecra... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., NASA's Kepler spacecraft is prepared for testing. A NASA Discovery mission, Kepler is specifically designed to survey our region of the Milky Way galaxy to discover hundreds of Earth-size and smaller planets in or near the habitable zone and determine how many of the billions of stars in our galaxy have such planets. Results from this mission will allow us to place our solar system within the continuum of planetary systems in the Galaxy. After processing at Astrotech, Kepler will be carried to its launch pad at Cape Canaveral. .NASA's planet-hunting Kepler mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than March 5 atop a Delta II rocket. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-1043

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility i...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., NASA's Kepler spacecraft is prepared for testing. A NASA Discovery mission, Kepler is specifically designed to survey ou... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., workers from Ball Aerospace check the Star Trackers on NASA's Kepler spacecraft before testing. Star Trackers are small aperture, space-qualified optical products which assure a spacecraft’s accurate navigation in space. A NASA Discovery mission, Kepler is specifically designed to survey our region of the Milky Way galaxy to discover hundreds of Earth-size and smaller planets in or near the habitable zone and determine how many of the billions of stars in our galaxy have such planets. Results from this mission will allow us to place our solar system within the continuum of planetary systems in the Galaxy. After processing at Astrotech, Kepler will be carried to its launch pad at Cape Canaveral. .NASA's planet-hunting Kepler mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than March 5 atop a Delta II rocket. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-1041

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility i...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., workers from Ball Aerospace check the Star Trackers on NASA's Kepler spacecraft before testing. Star Trackers are small ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., NASA's Kepler spacecraft is prepared for testing. A NASA Discovery mission, Kepler is specifically designed to survey our region of the Milky Way galaxy to discover hundreds of Earth-size and smaller planets in or near the habitable zone and determine how many of the billions of stars in our galaxy have such planets. Results from this mission will allow us to place our solar system within the continuum of planetary systems in the Galaxy. After processing at Astrotech, Kepler will be carried to its launch pad at Cape Canaveral. .NASA's planet-hunting Kepler mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than March 5 atop a Delta II rocket. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-1044

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility i...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., NASA's Kepler spacecraft is prepared for testing. A NASA Discovery mission, Kepler is specifically designed to survey ou... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., NASA's Kepler spacecraft is prepared for testing. A NASA Discovery mission, Kepler is specifically designed to survey our region of the Milky Way galaxy to discover hundreds of Earth-size and smaller planets in or near the habitable zone and determine how many of the billions of stars in our galaxy have such planets. Results from this mission will allow us to place our solar system within the continuum of planetary systems in the Galaxy. After processing at Astrotech, Kepler will be carried to its launch pad at Cape Canaveral. .NASA's planet-hunting Kepler mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than March 5 atop a Delta II rocket. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-1046

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility i...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., NASA's Kepler spacecraft is prepared for testing. A NASA Discovery mission, Kepler is specifically designed to survey ou... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., workers from Ball Aerospace check the star trackers on NASA's Kepler spacecraft before testing. Star Trackers are small aperture, space-qualified optical products which assure a spacecraft’s accurate navigation in space. A NASA Discovery mission, Kepler is specifically designed to survey our region of the Milky Way galaxy to discover hundreds of Earth-size and smaller planets in or near the habitable zone and determine how many of the billions of stars in our galaxy have such planets. Results from this mission will allow us to place our solar system within the continuum of planetary systems in the Galaxy. After processing at Astrotech, Kepler will be carried to its launch pad at Cape Canaveral. .NASA's planet-hunting Kepler mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than March 5 atop a Delta II rocket. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-1042

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility i...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., workers from Ball Aerospace check the star trackers on NASA's Kepler spacecraft before testing. Star Trackers are small ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., NASA's Kepler spacecraft is prepared for testing. A NASA Discovery mission, Kepler is specifically designed to survey our region of the Milky Way galaxy to discover hundreds of Earth-size and smaller planets in or near the habitable zone and determine how many of the billions of stars in our galaxy have such planets. Results from this mission will allow us to place our solar system within the continuum of planetary systems in the Galaxy. After processing at Astrotech, Kepler will be carried to its launch pad at Cape Canaveral. .NASA's planet-hunting Kepler mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than March 5 atop a Delta II rocket. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-1045

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility i...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., NASA's Kepler spacecraft is prepared for testing. A NASA Discovery mission, Kepler is specifically designed to survey ou... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., NASA's Kepler spacecraft is unbagged. The spacecraft will undergo initial testing before launch. A NASA Discovery mission, Kepler is specifically designed to survey our region of the Milky Way galaxy to discover hundreds of Earth-size and smaller planets in or near the habitable zone and determine how many of the billions of stars in our galaxy have such planets. Results from this mission will allow us to place our solar system within the continuum of planetary systems in the Galaxy. After processing at Astrotech, Kepler will be carried to its launch pad at Cape Canaveral. .NASA's planet-hunting Kepler mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than March 5 atop a Delta II rocket. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-1039

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility i...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., NASA's Kepler spacecraft is unbagged. The spacecraft will undergo initial testing before launch. A NASA Discovery missio... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., a worker inspects the high-gain antenna on NASA's Kepler spacecraft in preparation for testing. A NASA Discovery mission, Kepler is specifically designed to survey our region of the Milky Way galaxy to discover hundreds of Earth-size and smaller planets in or near the habitable zone and determine how many of the billions of stars in our galaxy have such planets. Results from this mission will allow us to place our solar system within the continuum of planetary systems in the Galaxy. After processing at Astrotech, Kepler will be carried to its launch pad at Cape Canaveral. .NASA's planet-hunting Kepler mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than March 5 atop a Delta II rocket. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-1040

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility i...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., a worker inspects the high-gain antenna on NASA's Kepler spacecraft in preparation for testing. A NASA Discovery mission... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., a Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp. worker conducts a light sensor test on NASA's Kepler spacecraft. A NASA Discovery mission, Kepler is specifically designed to survey our region of the Milky Way galaxy to discover hundreds of Earth-size and smaller planets in or near the habitable zone and determine how many of the billions of stars in our galaxy have such planets. Results from this mission will allow us to place our solar system within the continuum of planetary systems in the Galaxy. After processing at Astrotech, Kepler will be carried to its launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. .NASA's planet-hunting Kepler mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than March 5 atop a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-1101

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., a Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp. worker conducts a light sensor test on NASA's Kepler spacecraft. A NASA Discove... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., a Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp. worker conducts a light sensor test on NASA's Kepler spacecraft. A NASA Discovery mission, Kepler is specifically designed to survey our region of the Milky Way galaxy to discover hundreds of Earth-size and smaller planets in or near the habitable zone and determine how many of the billions of stars in our galaxy have such planets. Results from this mission will allow us to place our solar system within the continuum of planetary systems in the Galaxy. After processing at Astrotech, Kepler will be carried to its launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. .NASA's planet-hunting Kepler mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than March 5 atop a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-1102

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., a Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp. worker conducts a light sensor test on NASA's Kepler spacecraft. A NASA Discove... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., a Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp. worker conducts a light sensor test on NASA's Kepler spacecraft. A NASA Discovery mission, Kepler is specifically designed to survey our region of the Milky Way galaxy to discover hundreds of Earth-size and smaller planets in or near the habitable zone and determine how many of the billions of stars in our galaxy have such planets. Results from this mission will allow us to place our solar system within the continuum of planetary systems in the Galaxy. After processing at Astrotech, Kepler will be carried to its launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. .NASA's planet-hunting Kepler mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than March 5 atop a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-1099

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., a Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp. worker conducts a light sensor test on NASA's Kepler spacecraft. A NASA Discove... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., a Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp. worker conducts a light sensor test on NASA's Kepler spacecraft. A NASA Discovery mission, Kepler is specifically designed to survey our region of the Milky Way galaxy to discover hundreds of Earth-size and smaller planets in or near the habitable zone and determine how many of the billions of stars in our galaxy have such planets. Results from this mission will allow us to place our solar system within the continuum of planetary systems in the Galaxy. After processing at Astrotech, Kepler will be carried to its launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. .NASA's planet-hunting Kepler mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than March 5 atop a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-1100

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., a Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp. worker conducts a light sensor test on NASA's Kepler spacecraft. A NASA Discove... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., a Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp. technician Phil Mislinski checks data from the light sensor test conducted on NASA's Kepler spacecraft. Ball Aerospace was responsible for the flight segment design and fabrication. A NASA Discovery mission, Kepler is specifically designed to survey our region of the Milky Way galaxy to discover hundreds of Earth-size and smaller planets in or near the habitable zone and determine how many of the billions of stars in our galaxy have such planets. Results from this mission will allow us to place our solar system within the continuum of planetary systems in the Galaxy. After processing at Astrotech, Kepler will be carried to its launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. .NASA's planet-hunting Kepler mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than March 5 atop a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-1104

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., a Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp. technician Phil Mislinski checks data from the light sensor test conducted on N... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., a Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp. worker conducts a light sensor test on NASA's Kepler spacecraft. A NASA Discovery mission, Kepler is specifically designed to survey our region of the Milky Way galaxy to discover hundreds of Earth-size and smaller planets in or near the habitable zone and determine how many of the billions of stars in our galaxy have such planets. Results from this mission will allow us to place our solar system within the continuum of planetary systems in the Galaxy. After processing at Astrotech, Kepler will be carried to its launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. .NASA's planet-hunting Kepler mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than March 5 atop a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-1103

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., a Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp. worker conducts a light sensor test on NASA's Kepler spacecraft. A NASA Discove... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., a Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp. technician Phil Mislinski checks data from the light sensor test conducted on NASA's Kepler spacecraft. Ball Aerospace was responsible for the flight segment design and fabrication. A NASA Discovery mission, Kepler is specifically designed to survey our region of the Milky Way galaxy to discover hundreds of Earth-size and smaller planets in or near the habitable zone and determine how many of the billions of stars in our galaxy have such planets. Results from this mission will allow us to place our solar system within the continuum of planetary systems in the Galaxy. After processing at Astrotech, Kepler will be carried to its launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. .NASA's planet-hunting Kepler mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than March 5 atop a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-1105

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility ...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., a Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp. technician Phil Mislinski checks data from the light sensor test conducted on N... More

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – In the Astrotech Payload Processing Facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, preparations are under way to fuel NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, with hydrazine thruster control propellant. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. The OCO mission will collect precise global measurements of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the Earth's atmosphere. Scientists will analyze OCO data to improve our understanding of the natural processes and human activities that regulate the abundance and distribution of this important greenhouse gas. This improved understanding will enable more reliable forecasts of future changes in the abundance and distribution of CO2 in the atmosphere and the effect that these changes may have on the Earth's climate. The launch of OCO is scheduled for Feb. 23 from Vandenberg. Photo credit: Robert Hargreaves Jr., VAFB KSC-2009-1150

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – In the Astrotech Payload Processi...

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – In the Astrotech Payload Processing Facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, preparations are under way to fuel NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, with ... More

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – In the Astrotech Payload Processing Facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, preparations are under way to fuel NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, with hydrazine thruster control propellant. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. The OCO mission will collect precise global measurements of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the Earth's atmosphere. Scientists will analyze OCO data to improve our understanding of the natural processes and human activities that regulate the abundance and distribution of this important greenhouse gas. This improved understanding will enable more reliable forecasts of future changes in the abundance and distribution of CO2 in the atmosphere and the effect that these changes may have on the Earth's climate. The launch of OCO is scheduled for Feb. 23 from Vandenberg. Photo credit: Robert Hargreaves Jr., VAFB KSC-2009-1149

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – In the Astrotech Payload Processin...

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – In the Astrotech Payload Processing Facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, preparations are under way to fuel NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, with h... More

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – In the Astrotech Payload Processing Facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a technician monitors data during fueling of NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, with hydrazine thruster control propellant. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. The OCO mission will collect precise global measurements of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the Earth's atmosphere. Scientists will analyze OCO data to improve our understanding of the natural processes and human activities that regulate the abundance and distribution of this important greenhouse gas. This improved understanding will enable more reliable forecasts of future changes in the abundance and distribution of CO2 in the atmosphere and the effect that these changes may have on the Earth's climate. The launch of OCO is scheduled for Feb. 23 from Vandenberg. Photo credit: Robert Hargreaves Jr., VAFB KSC-2009-1152

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – In the Astrotech Payload Processi...

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – In the Astrotech Payload Processing Facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a technician monitors data during fueling of NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or ... More

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – In the Astrotech Payload Processing Facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a technician monitors data during fueling of NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, with hydrazine thruster control propellant. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. The OCO mission will collect precise global measurements of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the Earth's atmosphere. Scientists will analyze OCO data to improve our understanding of the natural processes and human activities that regulate the abundance and distribution of this important greenhouse gas. This improved understanding will enable more reliable forecasts of future changes in the abundance and distribution of CO2 in the atmosphere and the effect that these changes may have on the Earth's climate. The launch of OCO is scheduled for Feb. 23 from Vandenberg. Photo credit: Robert Hargreaves Jr., VAFB KSC-2009-1151

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – In the Astrotech Payload Processi...

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – In the Astrotech Payload Processing Facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a technician monitors data during fueling of NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, an overhead crane carries NASA's Kepler spacecraft toward a mobile stand to be covered and moved to the Hazardous Processing Facility for fueling. Kepler is designed to survey more than 100,000 stars in our galaxy to determine the number of sun-like stars that have Earth-size and larger planets, including those that lie in a star's "habitable zone," a region where liquid water, and perhaps life, could exist. If these Earth-size worlds do exist around stars like our sun, Kepler is expected to be the first to find them and the first to measure how common they are. The liftoff of Kepler aboard a Delta II rocket is currently planned for 10:48 p.m. EST March 5 from Space Launch Complex 17 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2009-1466

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, a...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, an overhead crane carries NASA's Kepler spacecraft toward a mobile stand to be covered and moved to the Hazardous Processing Facility for fue... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, the protective cover is lowered over NASA's Kepler spacecraft. When covered, Kepler will be moved to the Hazardous Processing Facility for fueling. Kepler is designed to survey more than 100,000 stars in our galaxy to determine the number of sun-like stars that have Earth-size and larger planets, including those that lie in a star's "habitable zone," a region where liquid water, and perhaps life, could exist. If these Earth-size worlds do exist around stars like our sun, Kepler is expected to be the first to find them and the first to measure how common they are. The liftoff of Kepler aboard a Delta II rocket is currently planned for 10:48 p.m. EST March 5 from Space Launch Complex 17 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2009-1468

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, t...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, the protective cover is lowered over NASA's Kepler spacecraft. When covered, Kepler will be moved to the Hazardous Processing Facility for f... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, technicians secure the protective cover over NASA's Kepler spacecraft. Kepler will be moved to the Hazardous Processing Facility for fueling. Kepler is designed to survey more than 100,000 stars in our galaxy to determine the number of sun-like stars that have Earth-size and larger planets, including those that lie in a star's "habitable zone," a region where liquid water, and perhaps life, could exist. If these Earth-size worlds do exist around stars like our sun, Kepler is expected to be the first to find them and the first to measure how common they are. The liftoff of Kepler aboard a Delta II rocket is currently planned for 10:48 p.m. EST March 5 from Space Launch Complex 17 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2009-1471

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, t...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, technicians secure the protective cover over NASA's Kepler spacecraft. Kepler will be moved to the Hazardous Processing Facility for fueling... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, an overhead crane lifts NASA's Kepler spacecraft from a work stand. Kepler will be moved to a mobile stand to be covered and moved to the Hazardous Processing Facility for fueling. Kepler is designed to survey more than 100,000 stars in our galaxy to determine the number of sun-like stars that have Earth-size and larger planets, including those that lie in a star's "habitable zone," a region where liquid water, and perhaps life, could exist. If these Earth-size worlds do exist around stars like our sun, Kepler is expected to be the first to find them and the first to measure how common they are. The liftoff of Kepler aboard a Delta II rocket is currently planned for 10:48 p.m. EST March 5 from Space Launch Complex 17 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2009-1465

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, a...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, an overhead crane lifts NASA's Kepler spacecraft from a work stand. Kepler will be moved to a mobile stand to be covered and moved to the Ha... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, the second cover is placed over NASA's Kepler spacecraft. Kepler will be moved to the Hazardous Processing Facility for fueling. Kepler is designed to survey more than 100,000 stars in our galaxy to determine the number of sun-like stars that have Earth-size and larger planets, including those that lie in a star's "habitable zone," a region where liquid water, and perhaps life, could exist. If these Earth-size worlds do exist around stars like our sun, Kepler is expected to be the first to find them and the first to measure how common they are. The liftoff of Kepler aboard a Delta II rocket is currently planned for 10:48 p.m. EST March 5 from Space Launch Complex 17 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2009-1470

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, t...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, the second cover is placed over NASA's Kepler spacecraft. Kepler will be moved to the Hazardous Processing Facility for fueling. Kepler is ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, another protective cover is lowered over NASA's Kepler spacecraft. When covered, Kepler will be moved to the Hazardous Processing Facility for fueling. Kepler is designed to survey more than 100,000 stars in our galaxy to determine the number of sun-like stars that have Earth-size and larger planets, including those that lie in a star's "habitable zone," a region where liquid water, and perhaps life, could exist. If these Earth-size worlds do exist around stars like our sun, Kepler is expected to be the first to find them and the first to measure how common they are. The liftoff of Kepler aboard a Delta II rocket is currently planned for 10:48 p.m. EST March 5 from Space Launch Complex 17 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2009-1469

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, a...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, another protective cover is lowered over NASA's Kepler spacecraft. When covered, Kepler will be moved to the Hazardous Processing Facility f... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, the protective cover at right is lifted toward NASA's Kepler spacecraft at left. When covered, Kepler will be moved to the Hazardous Processing Facility for fueling. Kepler is designed to survey more than 100,000 stars in our galaxy to determine the number of sun-like stars that have Earth-size and larger planets, including those that lie in a star's "habitable zone," a region where liquid water, and perhaps life, could exist. If these Earth-size worlds do exist around stars like our sun, Kepler is expected to be the first to find them and the first to measure how common they are. The liftoff of Kepler aboard a Delta II rocket is currently planned for 10:48 p.m. EST March 5 from Space Launch Complex 17 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2009-1467

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, t...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility, the protective cover at right is lifted toward NASA's Kepler spacecraft at left. When covered, Kepler will be moved to the Hazardous Processi... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, is displayed after blankets and edge tape were applied. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. The observatory is targeted to launch Feb. 23 from Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg. Photo credit: NASA/VAFB KSC-2009-1557

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --Inside the Astrotech payload proce...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, is displayed after blankets and edge tap... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, is displayed. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. The observatory is targeted to launch Feb. 23 from Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg. Photo credit: NASA/VAFB KSC-2009-1554

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload proc...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, is displayed. The OCO is a new Earth-or... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, is displayed after blankets and edge tape were applied. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. The observatory is targeted to launch Feb. 23 from Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg. Photo credit: NASA/VAFB KSC-2009-1555

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --Inside the Astrotech payload proce...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, is displayed after blankets and edge tap... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, is displayed. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. The observatory is targeted to launch Feb. 23 from Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg. Photo credit: NASA/VAFB KSC-2009-1553

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload proc...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, is displayed. The OCO is a new Earth-or... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, is displayed after blankets and edge tape were applied. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. The observatory is targeted to launch Feb. 23 from Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg. Photo credit: NASA/VAFB KSC-2009-1556

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --Inside the Astrotech payload proce...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, is displayed after blankets and edge tap... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences technicians conduct an ultraviolet light cleanliness inspection on the payload load isolators of the Taurus XL launch vehicle for the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, before installation on the ballast ring. From left are Dana Frederic, Bill Nelson and Randy Bone. The OCO is an Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. The observatory will collect precise global measurements of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere. Scientists will analyze the data returned to better understand the natural processes and human activities that regulate the abundance and distribution of this important greenhouse gas. Launch is targeted for Feb. 24 from Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg. Photo credit: NASA/Richard Nielsen, KSC KSC-2009-1624

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload proc...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences technicians conduct an ultraviolet light cleanliness inspection... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, is being prepared for transfer to Launch Complex 576-E. OCO will collect precise global measurements of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the Earth's atmosphere. Scientists will analyze OCO data to improve our understanding of the natural processes and human activities that regulate the abundance and distribution of this important greenhouse gas. OCO is scheduled to launch Feb. 24 aboard an Orbital Sciences' Taurus XL rocket. Photo credit: NASA/VAFB KSC-2009-1726

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In the Astrotech payload process...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, is being prepared for transfer to Laun... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers help guide NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, into place on a transporter. The spacecraft will be moved to Launch Complex 576-E. An umbilical line is attached. OCO will collect precise global measurements of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the Earth's atmosphere. Scientists will analyze OCO data to improve our understanding of the natural processes and human activities that regulate the abundance and distribution of this important greenhouse gas. OCO is scheduled to launch Feb. 24 aboard an Orbital Sciences' Taurus XL rocket. Photo credit: NASA/VAFB KSC-2009-1729

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In the Astrotech payload process...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers help guide NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, into place on a tra... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers secure an overhead crane to NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO. The spacecraft will be moved to a transporter for the trip to Launch Complex 576-E. An umbilical line (left) has been attached. OCO will collect precise global measurements of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the Earth's atmosphere. Scientists will analyze OCO data to improve our understanding of the natural processes and human activities that regulate the abundance and distribution of this important greenhouse gas. OCO is scheduled to launch Feb. 24 aboard an Orbital Sciences' Taurus XL rocket. Photo credit: NASA/VAFB KSC-2009-1727

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In the Astrotech payload process...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers secure an overhead crane to NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO. T... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the transporter holding NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, is ready to leave the Astrotech payload processing facility for Launch Complex 576-E. An umbilical line is attached. OCO will collect precise global measurements of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the Earth's atmosphere. Scientists will analyze OCO data to improve our understanding of the natural processes and human activities that regulate the abundance and distribution of this important greenhouse gas. OCO is scheduled to launch Feb. 24 aboard an Orbital Sciences' Taurus XL rocket. Photo credit: NASA/VAFB KSC-2009-1730

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the transporter holding NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, is ready to leave the Astrotech payload processing facility ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers keep watch as a crane lifts and moves NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, to a transporter (foreground). OCO will collect precise global measurements of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the Earth's atmosphere. Scientists will analyze OCO data to improve our understanding of the natural processes and human activities that regulate the abundance and distribution of this important greenhouse gas. OCO is scheduled to launch Feb. 24 aboard an Orbital Sciences' Taurus XL rocket. Photo credit: NASA/VAFB KSC-2009-1728

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In the Astrotech payload process...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers keep watch as a crane lifts and moves NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., the top of the canister is lowered over NASA's Kepler spacecraft where it will be attached to the lower segments. The canister surrounding Kepler provides protection during the spacecraft's transport to the pad. The liftoff of Kepler aboard a Delta II rocket is currently targeted for 10:48 p.m. EST March 5 from Pad 17-B. Kepler is designed to survey more than 100,000 stars in our galaxy to determine the number of sun-like stars that have Earth-size and larger planets, including those that lie in a star's "habitable zone," a region where liquid water, and perhaps life, could exist. If these Earth-size worlds do exist around stars like our sun, Kepler is expected to be the first to find them and the first to measure how common they are. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-1696

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility i...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., the top of the canister is lowered over NASA's Kepler spacecraft where it will be attached to the lower segments. The c... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., workers help guide the canister segment for NASA's Kepler spacecraft as it is lifted toward workers above. The segment will be added to the stack around Kepler. The "canning" provides protection during the spacecraft's transport to the pad. The liftoff of Kepler aboard a Delta II rocket is currently targeted for 10:48 p.m. EST March 5 from Pad 17-B. Kepler is designed to survey more than 100,000 stars in our galaxy to determine the number of sun-like stars that have Earth-size and larger planets, including those that lie in a star's "habitable zone," a region where liquid water, and perhaps life, could exist. If these Earth-size worlds do exist around stars like our sun, Kepler is expected to be the first to find them and the first to measure how common they are. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-1691

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility i...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., workers help guide the canister segment for NASA's Kepler spacecraft as it is lifted toward workers above. The segment ... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., the top of the canister is lifted over NASA's Kepler spacecraft where it will be attached to the lower segments. The canister surrounding Kepler provides protection during the spacecraft's transport to the pad. The liftoff of Kepler aboard a Delta II rocket is currently targeted for 10:48 p.m. EST March 5 from Pad 17-B. Kepler is designed to survey more than 100,000 stars in our galaxy to determine the number of sun-like stars that have Earth-size and larger planets, including those that lie in a star's "habitable zone," a region where liquid water, and perhaps life, could exist. If these Earth-size worlds do exist around stars like our sun, Kepler is expected to be the first to find them and the first to measure how common they are. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-1695

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility i...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., the top of the canister is lifted over NASA's Kepler spacecraft where it will be attached to the lower segments. The ca... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., workers place the lower segments of the canister around NASA's Kepler spacecraft. The "canning" provides protection during the spacecraft's transport to the pad. The liftoff of Kepler aboard a Delta II rocket is currently targeted for 10:48 p.m. EST March 5 from Pad 17-B. Kepler is designed to survey more than 100,000 stars in our galaxy to determine the number of sun-like stars that have Earth-size and larger planets, including those that lie in a star's "habitable zone," a region where liquid water, and perhaps life, could exist. If these Earth-size worlds do exist around stars like our sun, Kepler is expected to be the first to find them and the first to measure how common they are. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-1689

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility i...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., workers place the lower segments of the canister around NASA's Kepler spacecraft. The "canning" provides protection dur... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., workers place the second row of canister segments around NASA's Kepler spacecraft. The "canning" provides protection during the spacecraft's transport to the pad. The liftoff of Kepler aboard a Delta II rocket is currently targeted for 10:48 p.m. EST March 5 from Pad 17-B. Kepler is designed to survey more than 100,000 stars in our galaxy to determine the number of sun-like stars that have Earth-size and larger planets, including those that lie in a star's "habitable zone," a region where liquid water, and perhaps life, could exist. If these Earth-size worlds do exist around stars like our sun, Kepler is expected to be the first to find them and the first to measure how common they are. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-1690

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility i...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., workers place the second row of canister segments around NASA's Kepler spacecraft. The "canning" provides protection du... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., the top of the canister is lifted for a move to the unfinished canister at left. The canister surrounding NASA's Kepler spacecraft provides protection during the spacecraft's transport to the pad. The liftoff of Kepler aboard a Delta II rocket is currently targeted for 10:48 p.m. EST March 5 from Pad 17-B. Kepler is designed to survey more than 100,000 stars in our galaxy to determine the number of sun-like stars that have Earth-size and larger planets, including those that lie in a star's "habitable zone," a region where liquid water, and perhaps life, could exist. If these Earth-size worlds do exist around stars like our sun, Kepler is expected to be the first to find them and the first to measure how common they are. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-1694

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility i...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., the top of the canister is lifted for a move to the unfinished canister at left. The canister surrounding NASA's Kepler... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., another segment of the canister is added to the stack around NASA's Kepler spacecraft. The "canning" provides protection during the spacecraft's transport to the pad. The liftoff of Kepler aboard a Delta II rocket is currently targeted for 10:48 p.m. EST March 5 from Pad 17-B. Kepler is designed to survey more than 100,000 stars in our galaxy to determine the number of sun-like stars that have Earth-size and larger planets, including those that lie in a star's "habitable zone," a region where liquid water, and perhaps life, could exist. If these Earth-size worlds do exist around stars like our sun, Kepler is expected to be the first to find them and the first to measure how common they are. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-1692

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility i...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., another segment of the canister is added to the stack around NASA's Kepler spacecraft. The "canning" provides protection... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., four levels of canister segments have been installed around NASA's Kepler spacecraft. The "canning" provides protection during the spacecraft's transport to the pad. The liftoff of Kepler aboard a Delta II rocket is currently targeted for 10:48 p.m. EST March 5 from Pad 17-B. Kepler is designed to survey more than 100,000 stars in our galaxy to determine the number of sun-like stars that have Earth-size and larger planets, including those that lie in a star's "habitable zone," a region where liquid water, and perhaps life, could exist. If these Earth-size worlds do exist around stars like our sun, Kepler is expected to be the first to find them and the first to measure how common they are. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-1693

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility i...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., four levels of canister segments have been installed around NASA's Kepler spacecraft. The "canning" provides protection... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., the top of the canister has been attached to the lower segments encasing NASA's Kepler spacecraft. The canister surrounding Kepler provides protection during the spacecraft's transport to the pad. The liftoff of Kepler aboard a Delta II rocket is currently targeted for 10:48 p.m. EST March 5 from Pad 17-B. Kepler is designed to survey more than 100,000 stars in our galaxy to determine the number of sun-like stars that have Earth-size and larger planets, including those that lie in a star's "habitable zone," a region where liquid water, and perhaps life, could exist. If these Earth-size worlds do exist around stars like our sun, Kepler is expected to be the first to find them and the first to measure how common they are. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder KSC-2009-1697

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility in...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., the top of the canister has been attached to the lower segments encasing NASA's Kepler spacecraft. The canister surroundi... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA's Kepler spacecraft, enclosed in a canister and protective cover, is ready to leave the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla. Kepler is being moved to Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The liftoff of Kepler aboard a Delta II rocket is currently targeted for 10:48 p.m. EST March 5 from Pad 17-B. Kepler is designed to survey more than 100,000 stars in our galaxy to determine the number of sun-like stars that have Earth-size and larger planets, including those that lie in a star's "habitable zone," a region where liquid water, and perhaps life, could exist. If these Earth-size worlds do exist around stars like our sun, Kepler is expected to be the first to find them and the first to measure how common they are. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2009-1698

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA's Kepler spacecraft, enclosed in a caniste...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA's Kepler spacecraft, enclosed in a canister and protective cover, is ready to leave the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla. Kepler is being moved to Launch Pad... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA's Kepler spacecraft, enclosed in a canister and protective cover, leaves the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla. Kepler is being moved to Launch Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.The liftoff of Kepler aboard a Delta II rocket is currently targeted for 10:48 p.m. EST March 5 from Pad 17-B. Kepler is designed to survey more than 100,000 stars in our galaxy to determine the number of sun-like stars that have Earth-size and larger planets, including those that lie in a star's "habitable zone," a region where liquid water, and perhaps life, could exist. If these Earth-size worlds do exist around stars like our sun, Kepler is expected to be the first to find them and the first to measure how common they are. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller KSC-2009-1699

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA's Kepler spacecraft, enclosed in a canist...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA's Kepler spacecraft, enclosed in a canister and protective cover, leaves the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla. Kepler is being moved to Launch Pad 17-B at C... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility near NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers roll up the sides of the cover around NASA's Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite, known as LCROSS. The satellite's primary mission is to search for water ice on the moon in a permanently shadowed crater near one of the lunar poles. LCROSS is a low-cost, accelerated-development, companion mission to NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, or LRO. At Kennedy, the two spacecraft will be integrated with an Atlas V launch vehicle and tested for final flight worthiness. LCROSS and LRO are the first missions in NASA's plan to return humans to the moon and begin establishing a lunar outpost by 2020. Launch is no earlier than April 24. Photo credit: NASA/Tim Jacobs KSC-2009-1742

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility ne...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Astrotech payload processing facility near NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers roll up the sides of the cover around NASA's Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satelli... More

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