kennedy space center

nasa

randy

vandenberg

california

rocket

air force

vandenberg air force base

beaudoin

998 media by topic ∙ page 1 of 10
Amiens Cathedral.. Albumen print, Getty Museum. Public domain photograph.

Amiens Cathedral.. Albumen print, Getty Museum. Public domain photogra...

Picryl description: Public domain photograph of a historic city, cityscape, street view, buildings, 19th-century architecture, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

TSGT Frank Beaudoin, a member of the 301st Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, is checked by the judges after completing his jump. Beaudoin is participating in Sarex '80, a search and rescue exercise, a joint U.S. and Canadian pararescue exercise

TSGT Frank Beaudoin, a member of the 301st Aerospace Rescue and Recove...

The original finding aid described this photograph as: Subject Operation/Series: SAREX '80 Base: March Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Camera Operator: S... More

Second Lieutenant (2LT) Jill A Beaudoin, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, right, contemplates eating a piece of roasted lizard being held by Sergeant (SGT) Orlando J. Gonzales during a jungle survival course at the Royal Thai Army Training Camp near Chonburi. The course is part of the joint US/Thai training Exercise COBRA GOLD '86

Second Lieutenant (2LT) Jill A Beaudoin, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry,...

The original finding aid described this photograph as: Subject Operation/Series: COBRA GOLD '86 Country: Thailand (THA) Scene Camera Operator: Al Chang Release Status: Released to Public Combined Military S... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, the wings of the Pegasus XL launch vehicle are checked for fit. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission, or IBEX, satellite from Kwajalein Island in the Marshall Islands, South Pacific. IBEX will make the first map of the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX is the first mission designed to detect the edge of the solar system. As the solar wind from the sun flows out beyond Pluto, it collides with the material between the stars, forming a shock front. IBEX contains two neutral atom imagers designed to detect particles from the termination shock at the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX also will study galactic cosmic rays, energetic particles from beyond the solar system that pose a health and safety hazard for humans exploring beyond Earth orbit. IBEX will make these observations from a highly elliptical orbit that takes it beyond the interference of the Earth's magnetosphere. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1677

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, the wings of th...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, the wings of the Pegasus XL launch vehicle are checked for fit. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission, or IBEX, satellite f... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, the wings of the Pegasus XL launch vehicle are checked for fit. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission, or IBEX, satellite from Kwajalein Island in the Marshall Islands, South Pacific. IBEX will make the first map of the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX is the first mission designed to detect the edge of the solar system. As the solar wind from the sun flows out beyond Pluto, it collides with the material between the stars, forming a shock front. IBEX contains two neutral atom imagers designed to detect particles from the termination shock at the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX also will study galactic cosmic rays, energetic particles from beyond the solar system that pose a health and safety hazard for humans exploring beyond Earth orbit. IBEX will make these observations from a highly elliptical orbit that takes it beyond the interference of the Earth's magnetosphere. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1676

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, the wings of th...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, the wings of the Pegasus XL launch vehicle are checked for fit. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission, or IBEX, satellite f... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, workers check the fit of the wing on the Pegasus XL launch vehicle. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission, or IBEX, satellite from Kwajalein Island in the Marshall Islands, South Pacific. IBEX will make the first map of the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX is the first mission designed to detect the edge of the solar system. As the solar wind from the sun flows out beyond Pluto, it collides with the material between the stars, forming a shock front. IBEX contains two neutral atom imagers designed to detect particles from the termination shock at the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX also will study galactic cosmic rays, energetic particles from beyond the solar system that pose a health and safety hazard for humans exploring beyond Earth orbit. IBEX will make these observations from a highly elliptical orbit that takes it beyond the interference of the Earth's magnetosphere. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1686

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, workers check t...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, workers check the fit of the wing on the Pegasus XL launch vehicle. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission, or IBEX, satell... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, workers help guide a wing toward the Pegasus XL launch vehicle for a fit check. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission, or IBEX, satellite from Kwajalein Island in the Marshall Islands, South Pacific. IBEX will make the first map of the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX is the first mission designed to detect the edge of the solar system. As the solar wind from the sun flows out beyond Pluto, it collides with the material between the stars, forming a shock front. IBEX contains two neutral atom imagers designed to detect particles from the termination shock at the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX also will study galactic cosmic rays, energetic particles from beyond the solar system that pose a health and safety hazard for humans exploring beyond Earth orbit. IBEX will make these observations from a highly elliptical orbit that takes it beyond the interference of the Earth's magnetosphere. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1682

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, workers help g...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, workers help guide a wing toward the Pegasus XL launch vehicle for a fit check. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission, or... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, workers help guide a wing toward the Pegasus XL launch vehicle in the background for a fit check. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission, or IBEX, satellite from Kwajalein Island in the Marshall Islands, South Pacific. IBEX will make the first map of the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX is the first mission designed to detect the edge of the solar system. As the solar wind from the sun flows out beyond Pluto, it collides with the material between the stars, forming a shock front. IBEX contains two neutral atom imagers designed to detect particles from the termination shock at the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX also will study galactic cosmic rays, energetic particles from beyond the solar system that pose a health and safety hazard for humans exploring beyond Earth orbit. IBEX will make these observations from a highly elliptical orbit that takes it beyond the interference of the Earth's magnetosphere. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1683

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, workers help gu...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, workers help guide a wing toward the Pegasus XL launch vehicle in the background for a fit check. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Exp... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, workers help guide a wing toward the Pegasus XL launch vehicle in the background for a fit check. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission, or IBEX, satellite from Kwajalein Island in the Marshall Islands, South Pacific. IBEX will make the first map of the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX is the first mission designed to detect the edge of the solar system. As the solar wind from the sun flows out beyond Pluto, it collides with the material between the stars, forming a shock front. IBEX contains two neutral atom imagers designed to detect particles from the termination shock at the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX also will study galactic cosmic rays, energetic particles from beyond the solar system that pose a health and safety hazard for humans exploring beyond Earth orbit. IBEX will make these observations from a highly elliptical orbit that takes it beyond the interference of the Earth's magnetosphere. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1684

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, workers help gu...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, workers help guide a wing toward the Pegasus XL launch vehicle in the background for a fit check. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Exp... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, workers check the movement of the wing toward the Pegasus XL launch vehicle. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission, or IBEX, satellite from Kwajalein Island in the Marshall Islands, South Pacific. IBEX will make the first map of the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX is the first mission designed to detect the edge of the solar system. As the solar wind from the sun flows out beyond Pluto, it collides with the material between the stars, forming a shock front. IBEX contains two neutral atom imagers designed to detect particles from the termination shock at the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX also will study galactic cosmic rays, energetic particles from beyond the solar system that pose a health and safety hazard for humans exploring beyond Earth orbit. IBEX will make these observations from a highly elliptical orbit that takes it beyond the interference of the Earth's magnetosphere. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1685

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, workers check t...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, workers check the movement of the wing toward the Pegasus XL launch vehicle. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission, or IBE... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, workers check equipment on the Pegasus XL launch vehicle. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission, or IBEX, satellite from Kwajalein Island in the Marshall Islands, South Pacific. IBEX will make the first map of the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX is the first mission designed to detect the edge of the solar system. As the solar wind from the sun flows out beyond Pluto, it collides with the material between the stars, forming a shock front. IBEX contains two neutral atom imagers designed to detect particles from the termination shock at the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX also will study galactic cosmic rays, energetic particles from beyond the solar system that pose a health and safety hazard for humans exploring beyond Earth orbit. IBEX will make these observations from a highly elliptical orbit that takes it beyond the interference of the Earth's magnetosphere. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1681

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, workers check eq...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, workers check equipment on the Pegasus XL launch vehicle. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission, or IBEX, satellite from Kw... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, workers help guide the fillet on top of the Pegasus XL launch vehicle. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission, or IBEX, satellite from Kwajalein Island in the Marshall Islands, South Pacific. IBEX will make the first map of the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX is the first mission designed to detect the edge of the solar system. As the solar wind from the sun flows out beyond Pluto, it collides with the material between the stars, forming a shock front. IBEX contains two neutral atom imagers designed to detect particles from the termination shock at the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX also will study galactic cosmic rays, energetic particles from beyond the solar system that pose a health and safety hazard for humans exploring beyond Earth orbit. IBEX will make these observations from a highly elliptical orbit that takes it beyond the interference of the Earth's magnetosphere. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1678

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, workers help gu...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, workers help guide the fillet on top of the Pegasus XL launch vehicle. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission, or IBEX, sa... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, workers secure the fillet into place on the Pegasus XL launch vehicle. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission, or IBEX, satellite from Kwajalein Island in the Marshall Islands, South Pacific. IBEX will make the first map of the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX is the first mission designed to detect the edge of the solar system. As the solar wind from the sun flows out beyond Pluto, it collides with the material between the stars, forming a shock front. IBEX contains two neutral atom imagers designed to detect particles from the termination shock at the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX also will study galactic cosmic rays, energetic particles from beyond the solar system that pose a health and safety hazard for humans exploring beyond Earth orbit. IBEX will make these observations from a highly elliptical orbit that takes it beyond the interference of the Earth's magnetosphere. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1680

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, workers secure t...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, workers secure the fillet into place on the Pegasus XL launch vehicle. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission, or IBEX, sate... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, workers help guide the fillet into place on the Pegasus XL launch vehicle. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission, or IBEX, satellite from Kwajalein Island in the Marshall Islands, South Pacific. IBEX will make the first map of the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX is the first mission designed to detect the edge of the solar system. As the solar wind from the sun flows out beyond Pluto, it collides with the material between the stars, forming a shock front. IBEX contains two neutral atom imagers designed to detect particles from the termination shock at the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX also will study galactic cosmic rays, energetic particles from beyond the solar system that pose a health and safety hazard for humans exploring beyond Earth orbit. IBEX will make these observations from a highly elliptical orbit that takes it beyond the interference of the Earth's magnetosphere. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1679

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, workers help gui...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555, workers help guide the fillet into place on the Pegasus XL launch vehicle. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission, or IBEX... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers in Building 1555 at Vandenberg AFB secure the wing into place on the Pegasus rocket. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission, or IBEX, satellite from Kwajalein Island in the Marshall Islands, South Pacific. IBEX will make the first map of the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX is the first mission designed to detect the edge of the solar system. As the solar wind from the sun flows out beyond Pluto, it collides with the material between the stars, forming a shock front. IBEX contains two neutral atom imagers designed to detect particles from the termination shock at the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX also will study galactic cosmic rays, energetic particles from beyond the solar system that pose a health and safety hazard for humans exploring beyond Earth orbit. IBEX will make these observations from a highly elliptical orbit that takes it beyond the interference of the Earth's magnetosphere. IBEX is targeted for launch in September 2008. Photo credit: NASA/ Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1870

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers in Building 1555 at Vand...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers in Building 1555 at Vandenberg AFB secure the wing into place on the Pegasus rocket. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission, or IBEX... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers in Building 1555 at Vandenberg AFB help maneuver the wing for installation onto the Pegasus rocket. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission, or IBEX, satellite from Kwajalein Island in the Marshall Islands, South Pacific. IBEX will make the first map of the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX is the first mission designed to detect the edge of the solar system. As the solar wind from the sun flows out beyond Pluto, it collides with the material between the stars, forming a shock front. IBEX contains two neutral atom imagers designed to detect particles from the termination shock at the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX also will study galactic cosmic rays, energetic particles from beyond the solar system that pose a health and safety hazard for humans exploring beyond Earth orbit. IBEX will make these observations from a highly elliptical orbit that takes it beyond the interference of the Earth's magnetosphere. IBEX is targeted for launch in September 2008. Photo credit: NASA/ Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1866

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers in Building 1555 at Van...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers in Building 1555 at Vandenberg AFB help maneuver the wing for installation onto the Pegasus rocket. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer M... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers in Building 1555 at Vandenberg AFB help guide the wing toward the Pegasus rocket for installation. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission, or IBEX, satellite from Kwajalein Island in the Marshall Islands, South Pacific. IBEX will make the first map of the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX is the first mission designed to detect the edge of the solar system. As the solar wind from the sun flows out beyond Pluto, it collides with the material between the stars, forming a shock front. IBEX contains two neutral atom imagers designed to detect particles from the termination shock at the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX also will study galactic cosmic rays, energetic particles from beyond the solar system that pose a health and safety hazard for humans exploring beyond Earth orbit. IBEX will make these observations from a highly elliptical orbit that takes it beyond the interference of the Earth's magnetosphere. IBEX is targeted for launch in September 2008. Photo credit: NASA/ Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1864

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers in Building 1555 at Van...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers in Building 1555 at Vandenberg AFB help guide the wing toward the Pegasus rocket for installation. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers in Building 1555 at Vandenberg AFB help maneuver the wing for installation onto the Pegasus rocket. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission, or IBEX, satellite from Kwajalein Island in the Marshall Islands, South Pacific. IBEX will make the first map of the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX is the first mission designed to detect the edge of the solar system. As the solar wind from the sun flows out beyond Pluto, it collides with the material between the stars, forming a shock front. IBEX contains two neutral atom imagers designed to detect particles from the termination shock at the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX also will study galactic cosmic rays, energetic particles from beyond the solar system that pose a health and safety hazard for humans exploring beyond Earth orbit. IBEX will make these observations from a highly elliptical orbit that takes it beyond the interference of the Earth's magnetosphere. IBEX is targeted for launch in September 2008. Photo credit: NASA/ Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1867

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers in Building 1555 at Va...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers in Building 1555 at Vandenberg AFB help maneuver the wing for installation onto the Pegasus rocket. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers in Building 1555 at Vandenberg AFB maneuver the wing into place on the Pegasus rocket for installation. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission, or IBEX, satellite from Kwajalein Island in the Marshall Islands, South Pacific. IBEX will make the first map of the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX is the first mission designed to detect the edge of the solar system. As the solar wind from the sun flows out beyond Pluto, it collides with the material between the stars, forming a shock front. IBEX contains two neutral atom imagers designed to detect particles from the termination shock at the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX also will study galactic cosmic rays, energetic particles from beyond the solar system that pose a health and safety hazard for humans exploring beyond Earth orbit. IBEX will make these observations from a highly elliptical orbit that takes it beyond the interference of the Earth's magnetosphere. IBEX is targeted for launch in September 2008. Photo credit: NASA/ Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1869

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers in Building 1555 at Vand...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers in Building 1555 at Vandenberg AFB maneuver the wing into place on the Pegasus rocket for installation. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explor... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers in Building 1555 at Vandenberg AFB maneuver the wing into place on the Pegasus rocket for installation. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission, or IBEX, satellite from Kwajalein Island in the Marshall Islands, South Pacific. IBEX will make the first map of the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX is the first mission designed to detect the edge of the solar system. As the solar wind from the sun flows out beyond Pluto, it collides with the material between the stars, forming a shock front. IBEX contains two neutral atom imagers designed to detect particles from the termination shock at the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX also will study galactic cosmic rays, energetic particles from beyond the solar system that pose a health and safety hazard for humans exploring beyond Earth orbit. IBEX will make these observations from a highly elliptical orbit that takes it beyond the interference of the Earth's magnetosphere. IBEX is targeted for launch in September 2008. Photo credit: NASA/ Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1868

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers in Building 1555 at V...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers in Building 1555 at Vandenberg AFB maneuver the wing into place on the Pegasus rocket for installation. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Expl... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers in Building 1555 at Vandenberg AFB check the installation of the wing on the Pegasus rocket. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission, or IBEX, satellite from Kwajalein Island in the Marshall Islands, South Pacific. IBEX will make the first map of the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX is the first mission designed to detect the edge of the solar system. As the solar wind from the sun flows out beyond Pluto, it collides with the material between the stars, forming a shock front. IBEX contains two neutral atom imagers designed to detect particles from the termination shock at the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX also will study galactic cosmic rays, energetic particles from beyond the solar system that pose a health and safety hazard for humans exploring beyond Earth orbit. IBEX will make these observations from a highly elliptical orbit that takes it beyond the interference of the Earth's magnetosphere. IBEX is targeted for launch in September 2008. Photo credit: NASA/ Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1871

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers in Building 1555 at Vand...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers in Building 1555 at Vandenberg AFB check the installation of the wing on the Pegasus rocket. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission,... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers in Building 1555 at Vandenberg AFB help guide the wing toward the Pegasus rocket for installation. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission, or IBEX, satellite from Kwajalein Island in the Marshall Islands, South Pacific. IBEX will make the first map of the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX is the first mission designed to detect the edge of the solar system. As the solar wind from the sun flows out beyond Pluto, it collides with the material between the stars, forming a shock front. IBEX contains two neutral atom imagers designed to detect particles from the termination shock at the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX also will study galactic cosmic rays, energetic particles from beyond the solar system that pose a health and safety hazard for humans exploring beyond Earth orbit. IBEX will make these observations from a highly elliptical orbit that takes it beyond the interference of the Earth's magnetosphere. IBEX is targeted for launch in September 2008. Photo credit: NASA/ Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1865

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers in Building 1555 at Va...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers in Building 1555 at Vandenberg AFB help guide the wing toward the Pegasus rocket for installation. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Preparations are underway in Building 1555 at Vandenberg AFB for installation of the final wing onto the Pegasus rocket. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission, or IBEX, satellite from Kwajalein Island in the Marshall Islands, South Pacific. IBEX will make the first map of the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX is the first mission designed to detect the edge of the solar system. As the solar wind from the sun flows out beyond Pluto, it collides with the material between the stars, forming a shock front. IBEX contains two neutral atom imagers designed to detect particles from the termination shock at the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX also will study galactic cosmic rays, energetic particles from beyond the solar system that pose a health and safety hazard for humans exploring beyond Earth orbit. IBEX will make these observations from a highly elliptical orbit that takes it beyond the interference of the Earth's magnetosphere. IBEX is targeted for launch in September 2008. Photo credit: NASA/ Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1863

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Preparations are underway in Bui...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Preparations are underway in Building 1555 at Vandenberg AFB for installation of the final wing onto the Pegasus rocket. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Bounda... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the first stage of the Taurus rocket is being moved into Building 1555's west bay. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, in 2009. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1883

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the first sta...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the first stage of the Taurus rocket is being moved into Building 1555's west bay. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, in 20... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In Building 1555's west bay at Vandenberg AFB, workers secure the strapping holding the third stage of the Taurus rocket on the assembly integration trailer. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, in 2009. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1874

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In Building 1555's west bay at ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In Building 1555's west bay at Vandenberg AFB, workers secure the strapping holding the third stage of the Taurus rocket on the assembly integration trailer. The Taurus w... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In Building 1555's west bay at Vandenberg AFB, the third and second stages of the Taurus rocket rest on the stationary rails. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, in 2009. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1880

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In Building 1555's west bay at V...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In Building 1555's west bay at Vandenberg AFB, the third and second stages of the Taurus rocket rest on the stationary rails. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Carbon Obs... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the first stage of the Taurus rocket is being moved onto the stationary rails in Building 1555's west bay. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, in 2009. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1884

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the first sta...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the first stage of the Taurus rocket is being moved onto the stationary rails in Building 1555's west bay. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Carbon Obs... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the first stage of the Taurus rocket is moved out of the transportation trailer onto the assembly integration trailer. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, in 2009. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1881

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the first sta...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the first stage of the Taurus rocket is moved out of the transportation trailer onto the assembly integration trailer. The Taurus will launch the Orbiti... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In Building 1555's west bay at Vandenberg AFB, the third stage of the Taurus rocket is moved onto the stationary rails. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, in 2009. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1878

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In Building 1555's west bay at V...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In Building 1555's west bay at Vandenberg AFB, the third stage of the Taurus rocket is moved onto the stationary rails. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Carbon Observat... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the first stage of the Taurus rocket is being moved onto the stationary rails in Building 1555's west bay. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, in 2009. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1885

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the first sta...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the first stage of the Taurus rocket is being moved onto the stationary rails in Building 1555's west bay. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Carbon Obs... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the first stage of the Taurus rocket is being moved onto the stationary rails in Building 1555's west bay. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, in 2009. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1886

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the first sta...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the first stage of the Taurus rocket is being moved onto the stationary rails in Building 1555's west bay. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Carbon Ob... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the third stage of the Taurus rocket is moved into Building 1555's west bay. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, in 2009. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1873

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the third sta...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the third stage of the Taurus rocket is moved into Building 1555's west bay. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, in 2009. ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, workers stabilize the third stage of the Taurus rocket on the assembly integration trailer. The segment will be moved onto the stationary rails in Building 1555's west bay. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, in 2009. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1875

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, workers stabi...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, workers stabilize the third stage of the Taurus rocket on the assembly integration trailer. The segment will be moved onto the stationary rails in Build... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the second stage of the Taurus rocket moves behind the third stage in front of the Building 1555's west bay. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, in 2009. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1877

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the second st...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the second stage of the Taurus rocket moves behind the third stage in front of the Building 1555's west bay. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Carbon O... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the second stage of the Taurus rocket is moved out of the transportation trailer onto the assembly integration trailer. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, in 2009. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1876

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the second st...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the second stage of the Taurus rocket is moved out of the transportation trailer onto the assembly integration trailer. The Taurus will launch the Orbit... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the first stage of the Taurus rocket is being moved onto the stationary rails in Building 1555's west bay. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, in 2009. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1887

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the first sta...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the first stage of the Taurus rocket is being moved onto the stationary rails in Building 1555's west bay. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Carbon Ob... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the third stage of the Taurus rocket is offloaded from the truck onto an assembly integration trailer. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, in 2009. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1872

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the third sta...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the third stage of the Taurus rocket is offloaded from the truck onto an assembly integration trailer. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Carbon Observ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In Building 1555's west bay at Vandenberg AFB, the second stage of the Taurus rocket is moved onto the stationary rails. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, in 2009. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1879

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In Building 1555's west bay at V...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In Building 1555's west bay at Vandenberg AFB, the second stage of the Taurus rocket is moved onto the stationary rails. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Carbon Observa... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the first stage of the Taurus rocket is moved out of the transportation trailer onto the assembly integration trailer. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, in 2009. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd1882

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the first sta...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg AFB, the first stage of the Taurus rocket is moved out of the transportation trailer onto the assembly integration trailer. The Taurus will launch the Orbitin... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Avionics shelf flatness and fillet gap measurements are conducted on the wing of a Pegasus rocket in Building 1555 at Vandenberg AFB. The testing was performed by workers from Advanced Digital Measuring Works using an API laser tracker. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission, or IBEX, satellite from Kwajalein Island in the Marshall Islands, South Pacific. IBEX will make the first map of the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX is the first mission designed to detect the edge of the solar system. As the solar wind from the sun flows out beyond Pluto, it collides with the material between the stars, forming a shock front. IBEX contains two neutral atom imagers designed to detect particles from the termination shock at the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX also will study galactic cosmic rays, energetic particles from beyond the solar system that pose a health and safety hazard for humans exploring beyond Earth orbit. IBEX will make these observations from a highly elliptical orbit that takes it beyond the interference of the Earth's magnetosphere. IBEX is targeted for launch in October 2008. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd2042

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Avionics shelf flatness and fille...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Avionics shelf flatness and fillet gap measurements are conducted on the wing of a Pegasus rocket in Building 1555 at Vandenberg AFB. The testing was performed by workers f... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Avionics shelf flatness and fillet gap measurements are conducted on the wing of a Pegasus rocket in Building 1555 at Vandenberg AFB. The testing was performed by workers from Advanced Digital Measuring Works using an API laser tracker. The Pegasus will launch NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer Mission, or IBEX, satellite from Kwajalein Island in the Marshall Islands, South Pacific. IBEX will make the first map of the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX is the first mission designed to detect the edge of the solar system. As the solar wind from the sun flows out beyond Pluto, it collides with the material between the stars, forming a shock front. IBEX contains two neutral atom imagers designed to detect particles from the termination shock at the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space. IBEX also will study galactic cosmic rays, energetic particles from beyond the solar system that pose a health and safety hazard for humans exploring beyond Earth orbit. IBEX will make these observations from a highly elliptical orbit that takes it beyond the interference of the Earth's magnetosphere. IBEX is targeted for launch in October 2008. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd2043

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Avionics shelf flatness and fille...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Avionics shelf flatness and fillet gap measurements are conducted on the wing of a Pegasus rocket in Building 1555 at Vandenberg AFB. The testing was performed by workers f... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- An Alliant motor designated for Stage 3 of a Taurus rocket is weighed by Orbital Sciences workers in Building 1555 at Vandenberg AFB. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, in January 2009. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. OCO will provide space-based observations of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), the principal human-initiated driver of climate change. Mature technologies will be used to address NASA's highest priority carbon cycle measurement requirement. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory leads the OCO effort. Orbital Sciences Corporation is providing the Taurus launch vehicle; Hamilton Sundstrand Sensor Systems, the OCO spacecraft. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd2046

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- An Alliant motor designated for S...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- An Alliant motor designated for Stage 3 of a Taurus rocket is weighed by Orbital Sciences workers in Building 1555 at Vandenberg AFB. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Ca... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- An Alliant motor designated for Stage 3 of a Taurus rocket is weighed by Orbital Sciences workers in Building 1555 at Vandenberg AFB. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, in January 2009. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. OCO will provide space-based observations of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), the principal human-initiated driver of climate change. Mature technologies will be used to address NASA's highest priority carbon cycle measurement requirement. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory leads the OCO effort. Orbital Sciences Corporation is providing the Taurus launch vehicle; Hamilton Sundstrand Sensor Systems, the OCO spacecraft. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd2045

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- An Alliant motor designated for S...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- An Alliant motor designated for Stage 3 of a Taurus rocket is weighed by Orbital Sciences workers in Building 1555 at Vandenberg AFB. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Ca... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- An Alliant motor designated for Stage 3 of a Taurus rocket is weighed by Orbital Sciences workers in Building 1555 at Vandenberg AFB. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, in January 2009. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. OCO will provide space-based observations of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), the principal human-initiated driver of climate change. Mature technologies will be used to address NASA's highest priority carbon cycle measurement requirement. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory leads the OCO effort. Orbital Sciences Corporation is providing the Taurus launch vehicle; Hamilton Sundstrand Sensor Systems, the OCO spacecraft. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-08pd2044

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- An Alliant motor designated for S...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- An Alliant motor designated for Stage 3 of a Taurus rocket is weighed by Orbital Sciences workers in Building 1555 at Vandenberg AFB. The Taurus will launch the Orbiting Ca... More

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – On Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, one half of a fairing is moved into a protected clean room tent where it will be installed around NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft. The fairing is a molded structure that fits flush with the outside surface of the rocket and forms an aerodynamically smooth nose cone, protecting the spacecraft during launch and ascent. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX is targeted for launch from the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean, on Oct. 19. IBEX will be launched aboard a Pegasus rocket dropped from under the wing of an L-1011 aircraft flying over the Pacific Ocean. The Pegasus will carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3021

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – On Vandenberg Air Force Base in ...

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – On Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, one half of a fairing is moved into a protected clean room tent where it will be installed around NASA’s Interstellar Boundary E... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE , Calif. – On Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, one half of a fairing is being moved to a protected clean room tent where it will be installed around NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft. The fairing is a molded structure that fits flush with the outside surface of the rocket and forms an aerodynamically smooth nose cone, protecting the spacecraft during launch and ascent. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX is targeted for launch from the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean, on Oct. 19. IBEX will be launched aboard a Pegasus rocket dropped from under the wing of an L-1011 aircraft flying over the Pacific Ocean. The Pegasus will carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3020

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE , Calif. – On Vandenberg Air Force Base in...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE , Calif. – On Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, one half of a fairing is being moved to a protected clean room tent where it will be installed around NASA’s Interstellar Bound... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside a protected clean room tent on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers install the fairing around NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft. The fairing is a molded structure that fits flush with the outside surface of the rocket and forms an aerodynamically smooth nose cone, protecting the spacecraft during launch and ascent. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX is targeted for launch from the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean, on Oct. 19. IBEX will be launched aboard a Pegasus rocket dropped from under the wing of an L-1011 aircraft flying over the Pacific Ocean. The Pegasus will carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3023

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside a protected clean room te...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside a protected clean room tent on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers install the fairing around NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside a protected clean room tent on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the second half of the fairing is ready for installation around NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft. The fairing is a molded structure that fits flush with the outside surface of the rocket and forms an aerodynamically smooth nose cone, protecting the spacecraft during launch and ascent. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX is targeted for launch from the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean, on Oct. 19. IBEX will be launched aboard a Pegasus rocket dropped from under the wing of an L-1011 aircraft flying over the Pacific Ocean. The Pegasus will carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3026

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside a protected clean room ten...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside a protected clean room tent on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the second half of the fairing is ready for installation around NASA’s Interstellar Boundary E... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside a protected clean room tent on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the second half of the fairing is ready for installation around NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft. The fairing is a molded structure that fits flush with the outside surface of the rocket and forms an aerodynamically smooth nose cone, protecting the spacecraft during launch and ascent. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX is targeted for launch from the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean, on Oct. 19. IBEX will be launched aboard a Pegasus rocket dropped from under the wing of an L-1011 aircraft flying over the Pacific Ocean. The Pegasus will carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3025

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside a protected clean room te...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside a protected clean room tent on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the second half of the fairing is ready for installation around NASA’s Interstellar Boundary ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside a protected clean room tent on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers install the fairing around NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft. The fairing is a molded structure that fits flush with the outside surface of the rocket and forms an aerodynamically smooth nose cone, protecting the spacecraft during launch and ascent. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX is targeted for launch from the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean, on Oct. 19. IBEX will be launched aboard a Pegasus rocket dropped from under the wing of an L-1011 aircraft flying over the Pacific Ocean. The Pegasus will carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3022

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside a protected clean room te...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside a protected clean room tent on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers install the fairing around NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside a protected clean room tent on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a worker (right) examines part of the second half of the fairing to be installed around NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft. The fairing is a molded structure that fits flush with the outside surface of the rocket and forms an aerodynamically smooth nose cone, protecting the spacecraft during launch and ascent. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX is targeted for launch from the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean, on Oct. 19. IBEX will be launched aboard a Pegasus rocket dropped from under the wing of an L-1011 aircraft flying over the Pacific Ocean. The Pegasus will carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3027

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside a protected clean room te...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside a protected clean room tent on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a worker (right) examines part of the second half of the fairing to be installed around NASA’... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside a protected clean room tent on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers install the fairing around NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft. The fairing is a molded structure that fits flush with the outside surface of the rocket and forms an aerodynamically smooth nose cone, protecting the spacecraft during launch and ascent. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX is targeted for launch from the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean, on Oct. 19. IBEX will be launched aboard a Pegasus rocket dropped from under the wing of an L-1011 aircraft flying over the Pacific Ocean. The Pegasus will carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3024

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside a protected clean room ten...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside a protected clean room tent on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers install the fairing around NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft.... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside a protected clean room tent on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, both halves of the fairing have been installed around NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft. The fairing is a molded structure that fits flush with the outside surface of the rocket and forms an aerodynamically smooth nose cone, protecting the spacecraft during launch and ascent. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX is targeted for launch from the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean, on Oct. 19. IBEX will be launched aboard a Pegasus rocket dropped from under the wing of an L-1011 aircraft flying over the Pacific Ocean. The Pegasus will carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3028

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside a protected clean room te...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside a protected clean room tent on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, both halves of the fairing have been installed around NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside a protected clean room tent on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers make adjustments before installing the fairing around NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft. The fairing is a molded structure that fits flush with the outside surface of the rocket and forms an aerodynamically smooth nose cone, protecting the spacecraft during launch and ascent. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX is targeted for launch from the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean, on Oct. 19. IBEX will be launched aboard a Pegasus rocket dropped from under the wing of an L-1011 aircraft flying over the Pacific Ocean. The Pegasus will carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3024A

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside a protected clean room te...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Inside a protected clean room tent on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers make adjustments before installing the fairing around NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Ex... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Hangar 1555 on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, work is under way preparing NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft and attached Pegasus XL rocket on its transporter for a trip to the runway. There, the rocket-spacecraft will be attached to the L-1011 aircraft. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX is targeted for launch from the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean, on Oct. 19 aboard the Pegasus rocket dropped from under the wing of an L-1011 aircraft flying over the Pacific Ocean. The Pegasus will carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3069

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Hangar 1555 on Vandenberg Air ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Hangar 1555 on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, work is under way preparing NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft and attached Pegasus XL roc... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Hangar 1555 on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, work is under way preparing NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft and attached Pegasus XL rocket on its transporter for a trip to the runway. There, the rocket-spacecraft will be attached to the L-1011 aircraft. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX is targeted for launch from the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean, on Oct. 19 aboard the Pegasus rocket dropped from under the wing of an L-1011 aircraft flying over the Pacific Ocean. The Pegasus will carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3071

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Hangar 1555 on Vandenberg Air ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Hangar 1555 on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, work is under way preparing NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft and attached Pegasus XL roc... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Hangar 1555 on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, work is under way preparing NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft and attached Pegasus XL rocket on its transporter for a trip to the runway. There, the rocket-spacecraft will be attached to the L-1011 aircraft. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX is targeted for launch from the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean, on Oct. 19 aboard the Pegasus rocket dropped from under the wing of an L-1011 aircraft flying over the Pacific Ocean. The Pegasus will carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3073

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Hangar 1555 on Vandenberg Air ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Hangar 1555 on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, work is under way preparing NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft and attached Pegasus XL roc... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Hangar 1555 on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, work is under way preparing NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft and attached Pegasus XL rocket on its transporter for a trip to the runway. There, the rocket-spacecraft will be attached to the L-1011 aircraft. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX is targeted for launch from the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean, on Oct. 19 aboard the Pegasus rocket dropped from under the wing of an L-1011 aircraft flying over the Pacific Ocean. The Pegasus will carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3070

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Hangar 1555 on Vandenberg Air ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Hangar 1555 on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, work is under way preparing NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft and attached Pegasus XL roc... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Hangar 1555 on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, work is under way preparing NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft and attached Pegasus XL rocket on its transporter for a trip to the runway. There, the rocket-spacecraft will be attached to the L-1011 aircraft. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX is targeted for launch from the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean, on Oct. 19 aboard the Pegasus rocket dropped from under the wing of an L-1011 aircraft flying over the Pacific Ocean. The Pegasus will carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3072

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Hangar 1555 on Vandenberg Air ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Hangar 1555 on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, work is under way preparing NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft and attached Pegasus XL roc... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Hangar 1555 on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, work is under way preparing NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft and attached Pegasus XL rocket on its transporter for a trip to the runway. There, the rocket-spacecraft will be attached to the L-1011 aircraft. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX is targeted for launch from the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean, on Oct. 19 aboard the Pegasus rocket dropped from under the wing of an L-1011 aircraft flying over the Pacific Ocean. The Pegasus will carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3068

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Hangar 1555 on Vandenberg Air ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Hangar 1555 on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, work is under way preparing NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft and attached Pegasus XL roc... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Hangar 1555 on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, work is under way preparing NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft and attached Pegasus XL rocket on its transporter for a trip to the runway. There, the rocket-spacecraft will be attached to the L-1011 aircraft. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX is targeted for launch from the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean, on Oct. 19 aboard the Pegasus rocket dropped from under the wing of an L-1011 aircraft flying over the Pacific Ocean. The Pegasus will carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3074

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Hangar 1555 on Vandenberg Air ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Hangar 1555 on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, work is under way preparing NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft and attached Pegasus XL roc... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Hangar 1555 on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, work is under way preparing NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft and attached Pegasus XL rocket on its transporter for a trip to the runway. There, the rocket-spacecraft will be attached to the L-1011 aircraft. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX is targeted for launch from the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean, on Oct. 19 aboard the Pegasus rocket dropped from under the wing of an L-1011 aircraft flying over the Pacific Ocean. The Pegasus will carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3067

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Hangar 1555 on Vandenberg Air ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Hangar 1555 on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, work is under way preparing NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft and attached Pegasus XL roc... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the runway of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft waits for the arrival of NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft and Pegasus XL rocket. The Pegasus will be attached to the aircraft for launch. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX is targeted for launch from the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean, on Oct. 19 aboard the Pegasus rocket dropped from under the wing of an L-1011 aircraft flying over the Pacific Ocean. The Pegasus will carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3076

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the runway of Vandenberg Air F...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the runway of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft waits for the arrival of NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecra... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In On the runway of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft waits for the arrival of NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft and Pegasus XL rocket. The Pegasus will be attached to the aircraft for launch. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX is targeted for launch from the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean, on Oct. 19 aboard the Pegasus rocket dropped from under the wing of an L-1011 aircraft flying over the Pacific Ocean. The Pegasus will carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3075

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In On the runway of Vandenberg A...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In On the runway of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft waits for the arrival of NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spac... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the ramp of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft is ready for departure with NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft and Pegasus XL rocket. The Pegasus is attached under the wing of the aircraft for launch. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX is targeted for launch Oct. 19. The Pegasus rocket will be dropped from under the wing of the L-1011 over the Pacific Ocean to carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3077

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the ramp of Vandenberg Air For...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the ramp of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft is ready for departure with NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecr... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the ramp of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a Boeing 737 aircraft waits to accompany Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft when it takes off with NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft and Pegasus XL rocket. The L-1011 will head for the Reagan Test Site at Kwajalein Atoll in the South Pacific. The 737 will fly ahead of the L-1011 as a pathfinder. Launch vehicle engineers are aboard in the unlikely event their expertise is needed. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX is targeted for launch Oct. 19. The Pegasus rocket will be dropped from under the wing of the L-1011 over the Pacific Ocean to carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3078

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the ramp of Vandenberg Air For...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the ramp of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a Boeing 737 aircraft waits to accompany Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft when it takes off with NASA’s Interstellar... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the ramp of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft, which is mated to the Pegasus XL rocket, is attached under the wing of an Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX is targeted for launch Oct. 19. The Pegasus rocket will be dropped from under the wing of the L-1011 over the Pacific Ocean to carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3079

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the ramp of Vandenberg Air For...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the ramp of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft, which is mated to the Pegasus XL rocket, is attached unde... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the ramp of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft, which is mated to the Pegasus XL rocket, is attached under the wing of an Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX is targeted for launch Oct. 19. The Pegasus rocket will be dropped from under the wing of the L-1011 over the Pacific Ocean to carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3080

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the ramp of Vandenberg Air For...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the ramp of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft, which is mated to the Pegasus XL rocket, is attached unde... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the ramp of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft is ready for departure with NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft and Pegasus XL rocket. The Pegasus is attached under the wing of the aircraft for launch. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX is targeted for launch Oct. 19. The Pegasus rocket will be dropped from under the wing of the L-1011 over the Pacific Ocean to carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3081

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the ramp of Vandenberg Air Fo...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the ramp of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft is ready for departure with NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacec... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft begins rolling for takeoff from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California to the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Under its wing is NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft and Pegasus XL rocket. Departing from Kwajalein, the Pegasus rocket will be dropped from under the wing of the L-1011 over the Pacific Ocean to carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Then, the spacecraft’s own engine will boost it to its final high-altitude orbit (about 200,000 miles high) — most of the way to the Moon. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX science will be led by the Southwest Research Institute of San Antonio, Texas. IBEX is targeted for launch over the Pacific Oct. 19. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3138

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft begins rolling for takeoff from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California to the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacif... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft takes off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California for the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Under its wing is NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft and Pegasus XL rocket. Departing from Kwajalein, the Pegasus rocket will be dropped from under the wing of the L-1011 over the Pacific Ocean to carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Then, the spacecraft’s own engine will boost it to its final high-altitude orbit (about 200,000 miles high) — most of the way to the Moon. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX science will be led by the Southwest Research Institute of San Antonio, Texas. IBEX is targeted for launch over the Pacific Oct. 19. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3141

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft takes off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California for the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Under... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the ramp of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers make final checks of the Pegasus XL rocket before departure for the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Mated to NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft, the Pegasus is attached under the wing of the aircraft for launch. Departing from Kwajalein, the Pegasus rocket will be dropped from under the wing of the L-1011 over the Pacific Ocean to carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Then, the spacecraft’s own engine will boost it to its final high-altitude orbit (about 200,000 miles high) — most of the way to the Moon. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX science will be led by the Southwest Research Institute of San Antonio, Texas. IBEX is targeted for launch over the Pacific Oct. 19. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3135

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the ramp of Vandenberg Air Forc...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the ramp of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers make final checks of the Pegasus XL rocket before departure for the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Is... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft takes off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California for the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Under its wing is NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft and Pegasus XL rocket. Departing from Kwajalein, the Pegasus rocket will be dropped from under the wing of the L-1011 over the Pacific Ocean to carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Then, the spacecraft’s own engine will boost it to its final high-altitude orbit (about 200,000 miles high) — most of the way to the Moon. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX science will be led by the Southwest Research Institute of San Antonio, Texas. IBEX is targeted for launch over the Pacific Oct. 19. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3151

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft takes off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California for the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Under... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the ramp of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft awaits departure for the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean, with NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft and Pegasus XL rocket. The Pegasus is attached under the wing of the aircraft for launch. Departing from Kwajalein, the Pegasus rocket will be dropped from under the wing of the L-1011 over the Pacific Ocean to carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Then, the spacecraft’s own engine will boost it to its final high-altitude orbit (about 200,000 miles high) — most of the way to the Moon. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX science will be led by the Southwest Research Institute of San Antonio, Texas. IBEX is targeted for launch over the Pacific Oct. 19. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3136

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the ramp of Vandenberg Air Forc...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the ramp of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft awaits departure for the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Paci... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the ramp of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft awaits departure for the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean, with NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft and Pegasus XL rocket. The Pegasus is attached under the wing of the aircraft for launch. In the background at right is the Pathfinder aircraft that will accompany the L-1011 with a contingency crew and launch team members. Departing from Kwajalein, the Pegasus rocket will be dropped from under the wing of the L-1011 over the Pacific Ocean to carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Then, the spacecraft’s own engine will boost it to its final high-altitude orbit (about 200,000 miles high) — most of the way to the Moon. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX science will be led by the Southwest Research Institute of San Antonio, Texas. IBEX is targeted for launch over the Pacific Oct. 19. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3137

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the ramp of Vandenberg Air Forc...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the ramp of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft awaits departure for the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Paci... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft begins rolling for takeoff from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California to the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Under its wing is NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft and Pegasus XL rocket. Departing from Kwajalein, the Pegasus rocket will be dropped from under the wing of the L-1011 over the Pacific Ocean to carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Then, the spacecraft’s own engine will boost it to its final high-altitude orbit (about 200,000 miles high) — most of the way to the Moon. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX science will be led by the Southwest Research Institute of San Antonio, Texas. IBEX is targeted for launch over the Pacific Oct. 19. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3139

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft begins rolling for takeoff from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California to the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacif... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the ramp of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft awaits departure for the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean, with NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft and Pegasus XL rocket. The Pegasus is attached under the wing of the aircraft for launch. Departing from Kwajalein, the Pegasus rocket will be dropped from under the wing of the L-1011 over the Pacific Ocean to carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Then, the spacecraft’s own engine will boost it to its final high-altitude orbit (about 200,000 miles high) — most of the way to the Moon. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX science will be led by the Southwest Research Institute of San Antonio, Texas. IBEX is targeted for launch over the Pacific Oct. 19. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3134

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the ramp of Vandenberg Air Forc...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the ramp of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft awaits departure for the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Paci... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the ramp of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers make final checks of the Pegasus XL rocket before departure for the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Mated to NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft, the Pegasus is attached under the wing of the aircraft for launch. Departing from Kwajalein, the Pegasus rocket will be dropped from under the wing of the L-1011 over the Pacific Ocean to carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Then, the spacecraft’s own engine will boost it to its final high-altitude orbit (about 200,000 miles high) — most of the way to the Moon. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX science will be led by the Southwest Research Institute of San Antonio, Texas. IBEX is targeted for launch over the Pacific Oct. 19. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3133

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the ramp of Vandenberg Air Forc...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On the ramp of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers make final checks of the Pegasus XL rocket before departure for the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Is... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft takes off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California for the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Under its wing is NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft and Pegasus XL rocket. Departing from Kwajalein, the Pegasus rocket will be dropped from under the wing of the L-1011 over the Pacific Ocean to carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Then, the spacecraft’s own engine will boost it to its final high-altitude orbit (about 200,000 miles high) — most of the way to the Moon. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX science will be led by the Southwest Research Institute of San Antonio, Texas. IBEX is targeted for launch over the Pacific Oct. 19. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3140

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft takes off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California for the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Under... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft takes off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California for the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Under its wing is NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer, or IBEX, spacecraft and Pegasus XL rocket. Departing from Kwajalein, the Pegasus rocket will be dropped from under the wing of the L-1011 over the Pacific Ocean to carry the spacecraft approximately 130 miles above Earth and place it in orbit. Then, the spacecraft’s own engine will boost it to its final high-altitude orbit (about 200,000 miles high) — most of the way to the Moon. The IBEX satellite will make the first map of the boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space. IBEX science will be led by the Southwest Research Institute of San Antonio, Texas. IBEX is targeted for launch over the Pacific Oct. 19. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3145

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircra...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 aircraft takes off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California for the Kwajalein Atoll, a part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Und... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The Stage 0 motor for the Taurus XL launch vehicle arrives at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The motor will be transported to Orbital Sciences' Hangar 1555. The Taurus XL will launch NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, spacecraft targeted for Jan. 15. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3533

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The Stage 0 motor for the Taurus X...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The Stage 0 motor for the Taurus XL launch vehicle arrives at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The motor will be transported to Orbital Sciences' Hangar 1555. The Ta... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The Taurus XL Stage 0 motor is moved into Orbital Sciences' Hangar 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The Taurus XL will launch NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, spacecraft targeted for Jan. 15. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3543

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The Taurus XL Stage 0 motor is m...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The Taurus XL Stage 0 motor is moved into Orbital Sciences' Hangar 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The Taurus XL will launch NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observa... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – After its arrival at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Taurus XL Stage 0 motor is transported to Orbital Sciences' Hangar 1555. The Taurus XL will launch NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, spacecraft targeted for Jan. 15. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3542

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – After its arrival at Vandenberg ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – After its arrival at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Taurus XL Stage 0 motor is transported to Orbital Sciences' Hangar 1555. The Taurus XL will launch NASA's ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a worker secures a crane on the Taurus XL Stage 0 motor. The motor will be lifted onto a flatbed truck and transported to Orbital Sciences' Hangar 1555. The Taurus XL will launch NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, spacecraft targeted for Jan. 15. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3538

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a worker secures a crane on the Taurus XL Stage 0 motor. The motor will be lifted onto a flatbed truck and transported to Orbit... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – After arrival of the Stage 0 motor for the Taurus XL launch vehicle at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a crane lifts off the protective shipping cover. The motor will be transported to Orbital Sciences' Hangar 1555. The Taurus XL will launch NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, spacecraft targeted for Jan. 15. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3534

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – After arrival of the Stage 0 motor...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – After arrival of the Stage 0 motor for the Taurus XL launch vehicle at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a crane lifts off the protective shipping cover. The motor wi... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The Taurus XL Stage 0 motor is moved into Orbital Sciences' Hangar 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The Taurus XL will launch NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, spacecraft targeted for Jan. 15. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3544

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The Taurus XL Stage 0 motor is mo...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The Taurus XL Stage 0 motor is moved into Orbital Sciences' Hangar 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The Taurus XL will launch NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observa... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – After arrival of the Stage 0 motor for the Taurus XL launch vehicle at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a crane lifts off the protective cage. The motor will be transported to Orbital Sciences' Hangar 1555. The Taurus XL will launch NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, spacecraft targeted for Jan. 15. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3535

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – After arrival of the Stage 0 motor...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – After arrival of the Stage 0 motor for the Taurus XL launch vehicle at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a crane lifts off the protective cage. The motor will be tran... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a crane lifts the Taurus XL Stage 0 motor to move it to a flatbed truck. The motor will be transported to Orbital Sciences' Hangar 1555. The Taurus XL will launch NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, spacecraft targeted for Jan. 15. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3541

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a crane lifts the Taurus XL Stage 0 motor to move it to a flatbed truck. The motor will be transported to Orbital Sciences' Hang... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a worker secures a crane on the Taurus XL Stage 0 motor. The motor will be lifted onto a flatbed truck and transported to Orbital Sciences' Hangar 1555. The Taurus XL will launch NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, spacecraft targeted for Jan. 15. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3537

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a worker secures a crane on the Taurus XL Stage 0 motor. The motor will be lifted onto a flatbed truck and transported to Orbit... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a crane lifts the Taurus XL Stage 0 motor to move it to a flatbed truck. The motor will be transported to Orbital Sciences' Hangar 1555. The Taurus XL will launch NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, spacecraft targeted for Jan. 15. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3539

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a crane lifts the Taurus XL Stage 0 motor to move it to a flatbed truck. The motor will be transported to Orbital Sciences' Hang... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – After arrival of the Stage 0 motor for the Taurus XL launch vehicle at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a crane lifts off the protective cage. The motor will be transported to Orbital Sciences' Hangar 1555. The Taurus XL will launch NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, spacecraft targeted for Jan. 15. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3536

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – After arrival of the Stage 0 moto...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – After arrival of the Stage 0 motor for the Taurus XL launch vehicle at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a crane lifts off the protective cage. The motor will be tra... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The Taurus XL Stage 0 motor has been moved into Orbital Sciences' Hangar 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The Taurus XL will launch NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, spacecraft targeted for Jan. 15. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3545

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The Taurus XL Stage 0 motor has be...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The Taurus XL Stage 0 motor has been moved into Orbital Sciences' Hangar 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The Taurus XL will launch NASA's Orbiting Carbon Obs... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a crane lifts the Taurus XL Stage 0 motor to move it to a flatbed truck. The motor will be transported to Orbital Sciences' Hangar 1555. The Taurus XL will launch NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, spacecraft targeted for Jan. 15. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3540

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a crane lifts the Taurus XL Stage 0 motor to move it to a flatbed truck. The motor will be transported to Orbital Sciences' Hang... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The Taurus XL Stage 0 motor has been moved into Orbital Sciences' Hangar 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The Taurus XL will launch NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, spacecraft targeted for Jan. 15. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3546

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The Taurus XL Stage 0 motor has be...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The Taurus XL Stage 0 motor has been moved into Orbital Sciences' Hangar 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The Taurus XL will launch NASA's Orbiting Carbon Obs... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, ssembly is underway for the Taurus XL rocket that will launch NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, spacecraft. Lined up left to right are the Stage 1 and Stage 2 motors, the boattail, the avionics shelf and the Stage 3 motor. The graphite/epoxy boattail structure provides the transition from the smaller diameter of the Stage 2 motor to the larger diameter of the avionics skirt. The avionics skirt, also a graphite/epoxy structure, supports the avionics shelf and carries the primary structural loads from the fairing and payload cone. The aluminum avionics shelf supports the third stage avionics. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. The launch of OCO is targeted for January. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3866

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Ba...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, ssembly is underway for the Taurus XL rocket that will launch NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, spacecraft. Lin... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers do a fit check on the mating of the Stage 1 to Stage 2 motors for the Taurus XL rocket that will launch NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, spacecraft. At right can be seen the avionics shelf. The avionics skirt, a graphite/epoxy structure, supports the avionics shelf and carries the primary structural loads from the fairing and payload cone. The aluminum avionics shelf supports the third stage avionics. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. The launch of OCO is targeted for January. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3868

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers do a fit check on the mating of the Stage 1 to Stage 2 motors for the Taurus XL rocket that will launch NASA's Orbi... More

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, assembly is underway for the Taurus XL rocket that will launch NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, spacecraft. In the foreground at left is the boattail; behind it is the Stage 0 Castor 120 motor. At right near the wall (from left) are the Stage 1 and Stage 2 motors, the avionics shelf and the Stage 3 motor. The graphite/epoxy boattail structure provides the transition from the smaller diameter of the Stage 2 motor to the larger diameter of the avionics skirt. The avionics skirt, also a graphite/epoxy structure, supports the avionics shelf and carries the primary structural loads from the fairing and payload cone. The aluminum avionics shelf supports the third stage avionics. The OCO is a new Earth-orbiting mission sponsored by NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder Program. The launch of OCO is targeted for January. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3867

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Ba...

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, assembly is underway for the Taurus XL rocket that will launch NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, spacecraft. In ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At the Orbital Sciences payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the first stage motor for the Glory spacecraft's Taurus XL rocket waits to be moved inside. Glory is a low-Earth orbit scientific research satellite designed to collect data on the properties and distributions of aerosols in the Earth's atmosphere and on solar irradiance for the long-term Earth climate record. Glory will be launched from Vandenberg aboard Orbital's Taurus XL 3110 launch vehicle. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3873

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At the Orbital Sciences payload...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At the Orbital Sciences payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the first stage motor for the Glory spacecraft's Taurus XL rocket waits to ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In the Orbital Sciences payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the first, second and third stage motors for the Glory spacecraft's Taurus XL rocket are lined up after arrival. Glory is a low-Earth orbit scientific research satellite designed to collect data on the properties and distributions of aerosols in the Earth's atmosphere and on solar irradiance for the long-term Earth climate record. Glory will be launched from Vandenberg aboard Orbital's Taurus XL 3110 launch vehicle. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3875

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In the Orbital Sciences payload ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In the Orbital Sciences payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the first, second and third stage motors for the Glory spacecraft's Taurus X... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At the Orbital Sciences payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers offload the second (right) and third stage motors of the Taurus XL rocket for the launch of the Glory spacecraft in June 2009. Glory is a low-Earth orbit scientific research satellite designed to collect data on the properties and distributions of aerosols in the Earth's atmosphere and on solar irradiance for the long-term Earth climate record. Glory will be launched from Vandenberg aboard Orbital's Taurus XL 3110 launch vehicle. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-08pd3871

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At the Orbital Sciences payloa...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At the Orbital Sciences payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers offload the second (right) and third stage motors of the Taurus XL... More

Previous

of 10

Next