aerosols

nasa

climate

kennedy space center

air force

orbit

orbital

sciences

irradiance, aerosols

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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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At the Orbital Sciences payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers offload the third stage motor 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-08pd3870

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, workers offload the third stage motor of the Taurus XL rocket for the launc... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A truck arrives at the Orbital Sciences payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California carrying the first, second and third stage motors 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-08pd3869

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A truck arrives at the Orbital S...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A truck arrives at the Orbital Sciences payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California carrying the first, second and third stage motors for the lau... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At the Orbital Sciences payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers unstrap the newly arrived second (left) and first stage motors for the Glory spacecraft's Taurus XL rocket. 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-08pd3874

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, workers unstrap the newly arrived second (left) and first stage motors for t... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers move the second stage motor of the Taurus XL rocket for the launch of the Glory spacecraft in June 2009 into the Orbital Sciences payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. 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-08pd3872

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers move the second stage mo...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers move the second stage motor of the Taurus XL rocket for the launch of the Glory spacecraft in June 2009 into the Orbital Sciences payload processing facility on Van... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers unload the cargo carrier that holds one half of the fairing that will envelop NASA's Glory satellite. Both halves of the fairing will be installed around the spacecraft to protect it from the weather on the ground as well as from the atmosphere during flight. A four-stage Taurus XL rocket will carry Glory into low Earth orbit. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 2:09 a.m. PST Nov. 22. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2010-4404

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers unload the cargo carrier that holds one half of the fairing that will envelop NASA's Glory satellite. Both halves of the ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, one half of the fairing that will envelop NASA's Glory satellite is surrounded by protective sheathing in VAFB's payload processing facility. Both halves of the fairing will be installed around the spacecraft to protect it from the weather on the ground as well as from the atmosphere during flight. A four-stage Taurus XL rocket will carry Glory into low Earth orbit. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 2:09 a.m. PST Nov. 22. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2010-4408

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, one half of the fairing that will envelop NASA's Glory satellite is surrounded by protective sheathing in VAFB's payload processi... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers cautiously roll one half of the fairing that will envelop NASA's Glory satellite into VAFB's payload processing facility. Both halves of the fairing will be installed around the spacecraft to protect it from the weather on the ground as well as from the atmosphere during flight. A four-stage Taurus XL rocket will carry Glory into low Earth orbit. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 2:09 a.m. PST Nov. 22. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2010-4406

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers cautiously roll one half of the fairing that will envelop NASA's Glory satellite into VAFB's payload processing facility.... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, one half of the fairing that will envelop NASA's Glory satellite is moved into a protected environment of VAFB's payload processing facility. Both halves of the fairing will be installed around the spacecraft to protect it from the weather on the ground as well as from the atmosphere during flight. A four-stage Taurus XL rocket will carry Glory into low Earth orbit. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 2:09 a.m. PST Nov. 22. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2010-4407

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, one half of the fairing that will envelop NASA's Glory satellite is moved into a protected environment of VAFB's payload processi... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers are preparing to unload one half of the fairing that will envelop NASA's Glory satellite. Both halves of the fairing will be installed around the spacecraft to protect it from the weather on the ground as well as from the atmosphere during flight. A four-stage Taurus XL rocket will carry Glory into low Earth orbit. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 2:09 a.m. PST Nov. 22. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2010-4403

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers are preparing to unload one half of the fairing that will envelop NASA's Glory satellite. Both halves of the fairing will... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers cautiously roll one half of the fairing that will envelop NASA's Glory satellite out of its cargo container. Both halves of the fairing will be installed around the spacecraft to protect it from the weather on the ground as well as from the atmosphere during flight. A four-stage Taurus XL rocket will carry Glory into low Earth orbit. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 2:09 a.m. PST Nov. 22. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2010-4405

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers cautiously roll one half of the fairing that will envelop NASA's Glory satellite out of its cargo container. Both halves ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the payload cone for NASA's Glory mission is pictures secured inside its cargo carrier. The payload cone is an adapter that interfaces the Taurus XL rocket with the spacecraft. A four-stage Taurus XL rocket will carry Glory into low Earth orbit. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 2:09 a.m. PST Nov. 22. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2010-4411

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the payload cone for NASA's Glory mission is pictures secured inside its cargo carrier. The payload cone is an adapter that inter... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a worker user a Hyster lift moves the payload cone for NASA's Glory mission into VAFB's payload processing facility. The payload cone is an adapter that interfaces the Taurus XL rocket with the spacecraft. A four-stage Taurus XL rocket will carry Glory into low Earth orbit. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 2:09 a.m. PST Nov. 22. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2010-4412

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a worker user a Hyster lift moves the payload cone for NASA's Glory mission into VAFB's payload processing facility. The payload ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers are preparing to unload a payload cone for NASA's Glory mission. The payload cone is an adapter that interfaces the Taurus XL rocket with the spacecraft. A four-stage Taurus XL rocket will carry Glory into low Earth orbit. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 2:09 a.m. PST Nov. 22. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2010-4409

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers are preparing to unload a payload cone for NASA's Glory mission. The payload cone is an adapter that interfaces the Tauru... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers are preparing to unload a payload cone for NASA's Glory mission. The payload cone is an adapter that interfaces the Taurus XL rocket with the spacecraft. A four-stage Taurus XL rocket will carry Glory into low Earth orbit. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 2:09 a.m. PST Nov. 22. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2010-4410

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers are preparing to unload a payload cone for NASA's Glory mission. The payload cone is an adapter that interfaces the Tauru... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the payload cone is lowered onto the floor of VAFB's payload processing facility for NASA's Glory mission. The payload cone is an adapter that interfaces the Taurus XL rocket with the spacecraft. A four-stage Taurus XL rocket will carry Glory into low Earth orbit. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 2:09 a.m. PST Nov. 22. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2010-4413

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the payload cone is lowered onto the floor of VAFB's payload processing facility for NASA's Glory mission. The payload cone is an... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Taurus XL rocket's 1, 2 and 3 stages are prepared for their first flight simulation, which will include testing voltages, currents, pressures, temperatures and thruster firings. The four-stage rocket is being prepared to carry NASA's Glory satellite into low Earth orbit and will lift off from Vandenberg's Launch Pad SLC 576-E. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2010-4630

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Taurus XL rocket's 1, 2 and 3 stages are prepared for their first flight simulation, which will include testing voltages, curr... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the second half of the fairing that will encapsulate NASA's Glory satellite during launch aboard a Taurus XL rocket is offloaded and moved toward Building 1555. There, the black protective covering will be removed so that the fairing half can be thoroughly cleaned before it is installed around the spacecraft. The four-stage rocket and satellite are being prepared for a launch to low Earth orbit from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2010-5263

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the second half of the fairing that will encapsulate NASA's Glory satellite during launch aboard a Taurus XL rocket is offloaded a... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the second half of the fairing that will encapsulate NASA's Glory satellite during launch aboard a Taurus XL rocket is offloaded and moved toward Building 1555. There, the black protective covering will be removed so that the fairing half can be thoroughly cleaned before it is installed around the spacecraft. The four-stage rocket and satellite are being prepared for a launch to low Earth orbit from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2010-5262

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the second half of the fairing that will encapsulate NASA's Glory satellite during launch aboard a Taurus XL rocket is offloaded a... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the second half of the fairing that will encapsulate NASA's Glory satellite during launch aboard a Taurus XL rocket is offloaded and moved toward Building 1555. There, the black protective covering will be removed so that the fairing half can be thoroughly cleaned before it is installed around the spacecraft. The four-stage rocket and satellite are being prepared for a launch to low Earth orbit from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2010-5264

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the second half of the fairing that will encapsulate NASA's Glory satellite during launch aboard a Taurus XL rocket is offloaded a... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a technician performs a wide-band instrumentation system test on half of the fairing that will encapsulate NASA's Glory satellite during launch aboard a Taurus XL rocket. The black protective covering will be removed so that the fairing half can be thoroughly cleaned before it is installed around the spacecraft. The four-stage rocket and satellite are being prepared for a launch to low Earth orbit from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2010-4696

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a technician performs a wide-band instrumentation system test on half of the fairing that will encapsulate NASA's Glory satellite ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the second half of the fairing that will encapsulate NASA's Glory satellite during launch aboard a Taurus XL rocket is moved into Building 1555. There, the black protective covering will be removed so that the fairing half can be thoroughly cleaned before it is installed around the spacecraft. The four-stage rocket and satellite are being prepared for a launch to low Earth orbit from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2010-5265

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the second half of the fairing that will encapsulate NASA's Glory satellite during launch aboard a Taurus XL rocket is moved into ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The first, second and third stages of the Taurus XL rocket come together in the east high bay of Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The rocket and NASA's Glory satellite are being prepared for a launch to low Earth orbit from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2010-5304

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The first, second and third stages...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The first, second and third stages of the Taurus XL rocket come together in the east high bay of Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The rocket and NASA... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The stage 0 motor, left, and the interstage associated with Stage 1 of the Taurus XL rocket are ready for more processing in the west high bay of Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. In the east high bay, right, are the first, second and third stages. The rocket and NASA's Glory satellite are being prepared for a launch to low Earth orbit from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2010-5303

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The stage 0 motor, left, and the i...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The stage 0 motor, left, and the interstage associated with Stage 1 of the Taurus XL rocket are ready for more processing in the west high bay of Building 1555 at Vandenberg ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The first, second and third stages of the Taurus XL rocket come together in the east high bay of Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. In the west high bay, left, is the stage 0 motor. The rocket and NASA's Glory satellite are being prepared for a launch to low Earth orbit from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2010-5302

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The first, second and third stages...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The first, second and third stages of the Taurus XL rocket come together in the east high bay of Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. In the west high ba... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a technician installs the aft-end blankets on the avionics assembly of a four-stage Taurus XL rocket. The rocket and NASA's Glory satellite are being prepared for a launch to low Earth orbit from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2010-5289

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a technician installs the aft-end blankets on the avionics assembly of a four-stage Taurus XL rocket. The rocket ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences Corp. technicians install the second petal to the aft end of the Taurus XL rocket's first stage motor. Three pedals will essentially make up the aft skirt of the first stage, covering and protecting a myriad of cabling. The Orbital Sciences Taurus XL rocket, targeted to lift off Feb. 23, 2011, from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E, will take NASA's Glory satellite into low Earth. Glory is scheduled to collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2010-5620

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences Corp. technicians install the second petal to the aft end of the Taurus XL rocket's first stage ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences Corp. technicians install the second petal to the aft end of the Taurus XL rocket's first stage motor. Three pedals will essentially make up the aft skirt of the first stage, covering and protecting a myriad of cabling. The Orbital Sciences Taurus XL rocket, targeted to lift off Feb. 23, 2011, from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E, will take NASA's Glory satellite into low Earth. Glory is scheduled to collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2010-5619

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences Corp. technicians install the second petal to the aft end of the Taurus XL rocket's first stage ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences Corp. technicians connect the third stage of the Taurus XL rocket to the avionics of the temporary vehicle interface fixture. The fixture will come off once integrated with the encapsulated Glory spacecraft at the launch site. The Taurus XL rocket, targeted to lift off Feb. 23, 2011, from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E, will take NASA's Glory satellite into low Earth. Glory is scheduled to collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2010-5725

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences Corp. technicians connect the third stage of the Taurus XL rocket to the avionics of the tempora... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences Corp. technician Mike Lerma checks the fit of the Taurus XL rocket's first and second stages in Building 1555. The Orbital Sciences Taurus XL rocket, targeted to lift off Feb. 23, 2011, from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E, will take NASA's Glory satellite into low Earth. Glory is scheduled to collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2010-5728

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences Corp. technician Mike Lerma checks the fit of the Taurus XL rocket's first and second stages in Building 1555. ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences Corp. technician Mike Lerma guides the first and second stages of the Taurus XL rocket together in Building 1555. The Orbital Sciences Taurus XL rocket, targeted to lift off Feb. 23, 2011, from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E, will take NASA's Glory satellite into low Earth. Glory is scheduled to collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2010-5726

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences Corp. technician Mike Lerma guides the first and second stages of the Taurus XL rocket together in Building 1555.... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences Corp. technicians check the fit of the Taurus XL rocket's first and second stages in Building 1555. The Orbital Sciences Taurus XL rocket, targeted to lift off Feb. 23, 2011, from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E, will take NASA's Glory satellite into low Earth. Glory is scheduled to collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2010-5727

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences Corp. technicians check the fit of the Taurus XL rocket's first and second stages in Building 1555. The Orbit... More

San Luis Obispo, Calif. -- 101116-F-8290C-045 -- Students at California Polytechnic State University Cal Poly prepare to integrate miniature research satellites called CubeSats into a Poly Picosatellite Orbital Deployer PPOD container. The PPOD and CubeSat Project were developed by Cal Poly and Stanford University’s Space Systems Development Lab for use on NASA’s Educational Launch of Nanosatellite ELaNa missions. Each CubeSat measures about 4-inches cubed and is about the same volume as a quart. The CubeSats weigh about 2.2 pounds, must conform to standard aerospace materials and must operate without propulsion. The satellites are being prepared to launch with NASA's Glory spacecraft aboard an Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL rocket, targeted to lift off Feb. 23, 2011, from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E. Glory is scheduled to collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon from its place in low Earth orbit. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: U.S. Air Force/Jerry E. Clemens Jr. KSC-2010-5777

San Luis Obispo, Calif. -- 101116-F-8290C-045 -- Students at Californi...

San Luis Obispo, Calif. -- 101116-F-8290C-045 -- Students at California Polytechnic State University Cal Poly prepare to integrate miniature research satellites called CubeSats into a Poly Picosatellite Orbital... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the first and second stages of the Taurus XL rocket are being prepared for mating in Orbital Sciences Corp.'s Building 1555. The Orbital Sciences Taurus XL rocket, targeted to lift off Feb. 23, 2011, from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E, will take NASA's Glory satellite into low Earth. Glory is scheduled to collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA/Chris Wiant, VAFB KSC-2010-5732

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the first and second stages of the Taurus XL rocket are being prepared for mating in Orbital Sciences Corp.'s Building 1555. ... More

San Luis Obispo, Calif. -- 101116-F-8290C-054 -- Roland Coelho and Ryan Nugent, students at California Polytechnic State University Cal Poly, integrate miniature research satellites called CubeSats into a Poly Picosatellite Orbital Deployer PPOD container. The PPOD and CubeSat Project were developed by Cal Poly and Stanford University’s Space Systems Development Lab for use on NASA’s Educational Launch of Nanosatellite ELaNa missions. Each CubeSat measures about 4-inches cubed and is about the same volume as a quart. The CubeSats weigh about 2.2 pounds, must conform to standard aerospace materials and must operate without propulsion. The satellites are being prepared to launch with NASA's Glory spacecraft aboard an Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL rocket, targeted to lift off Feb. 23, 2011, from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E. Glory is scheduled to collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon from its place in low Earth orbit. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: U.S. Air Force/Jerry E. Clemens Jr. KSC-2010-5778

San Luis Obispo, Calif. -- 101116-F-8290C-054 -- Roland Coelho and Rya...

San Luis Obispo, Calif. -- 101116-F-8290C-054 -- Roland Coelho and Ryan Nugent, students at California Polytechnic State University Cal Poly, integrate miniature research satellites called CubeSats into a Poly ... More

San Luis Obispo, Calif. -- 101116-F-8290C-059 -- Roland Coelho and Ryan Nugent, students at California Polytechnic State University Cal Poly, integrate miniature research satellites called CubeSats into a Poly Picosatellite Orbital Deployer PPOD container. The PPOD and CubeSat Project were developed by Cal Poly and Stanford University’s Space Systems Development Lab for use on NASA’s Educational Launch of Nanosatellite ELaNa missions. Each CubeSat measures about 4-inches cubed and is about the same volume as a quart. The CubeSats weigh about 2.2 pounds, must conform to standard aerospace materials and must operate without propulsion. The satellites are being prepared to launch with NASA's Glory spacecraft aboard an Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL rocket, targeted to lift off Feb. 23, 2011, from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E. Glory is scheduled to collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon from its place in low Earth orbit. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: U.S. Air Force/Jerry E. Clemens Jr. KSC-2010-5779

San Luis Obispo, Calif. -- 101116-F-8290C-059 -- Roland Coelho and Rya...

San Luis Obispo, Calif. -- 101116-F-8290C-059 -- Roland Coelho and Ryan Nugent, students at California Polytechnic State University Cal Poly, integrate miniature research satellites called CubeSats into a Poly ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, work is under way to mate the first and second stages of the Taurus XL rocket in Orbital Sciences Corp.'s Building 1555. The Orbital Sciences Taurus XL rocket, targeted to lift off Feb. 23, 2011, from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E, will take NASA's Glory satellite into low Earth. Glory is scheduled to collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA/Chris Wiant, VAFB KSC-2010-5734

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, work is under way to mate the first and second stages of the Taurus XL rocket in Orbital Sciences Corp.'s Building 1555. The O... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the first and second stages of the Taurus XL rocket are being prepared for mating in Orbital Sciences Corp.'s Building 1555. The Orbital Sciences Taurus XL rocket, targeted to lift off Feb. 23, 2011, from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E, will take NASA's Glory satellite into low Earth. Glory is scheduled to collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA/Chris Wiant, VAFB KSC-2010-5733

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the first and second stages of the Taurus XL rocket are being prepared for mating in Orbital Sciences Corp.'s Building 1555. ... More

San Luis Obispo, Calif. -- 101116-F-8290C-060 -- Roland Coelho, a student at California Polytechnic State University Cal Poly, inspects the integration alignment of miniature research satellites called a CubeSats into a Poly Picosatellite Orbital Deployer PPOD container. The PPOD and CubeSat Project were developed by Cal Poly and Stanford University’s Space Systems Development Lab for use on NASA’s Educational Launch of Nanosatellite ELaNa missions. Each CubeSat measures about 4-inches cubed and is about the same volume as a quart. The CubeSats weigh about 2.2 pounds, must conform to standard aerospace materials and must operate without propulsion. The satellites are being prepared to launch with NASA's Glory spacecraft aboard an Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL rocket, targeted to lift off Feb. 23, 2011, from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E. Glory is scheduled to collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon from its place in low Earth orbit. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: U.S. Air Force/Jerry E. Clemens Jr. KSC-2010-5780

San Luis Obispo, Calif. -- 101116-F-8290C-060 -- Roland Coelho, a stud...

San Luis Obispo, Calif. -- 101116-F-8290C-060 -- Roland Coelho, a student at California Polytechnic State University Cal Poly, inspects the integration alignment of miniature research satellites called a CubeSa... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Orbital Sciences Corp. Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences technicians continue to work on cabling on the aft end of the Taurus XL rocket's first stage motor. To the left is the interstage associated with the first stage. The Orbital Sciences Taurus XL rocket, targeted to lift off Feb. 23, 2011, from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E, will take NASA's Glory satellite into low Earth orbit. Once in orbit, Glory will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2010-5730

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Orbital Sciences Corp. Building...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Orbital Sciences Corp. Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences technicians continue to work on cabling on the aft end of the Taurus XL r... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Orbital Sciences Corp. Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the first, second and third stages of the Taurus XL rocket are cabled up for a flight simulation. In front is the interstage associated with the first stage. The Orbital Sciences Taurus XL rocket, targeted to lift off Feb. 23, 2011, from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E, will take NASA's Glory satellite into low Earth orbit. Once in orbit, Glory will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2010-5731

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Orbital Sciences Corp. Building...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Orbital Sciences Corp. Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the first, second and third stages of the Taurus XL rocket are cabled up for a flight simu... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Orbital Sciences Corp. Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences technicians continue to work on cabling on the aft end of the Taurus XL rocket's first stage motor. To the left is the interstage associated with the first stage. The Orbital Sciences Taurus XL rocket, targeted to lift off Feb. 23, 2011, from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E, will take NASA's Glory satellite into low Earth orbit. Once in orbit, Glory will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2010-5729

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Orbital Sciences Corp. Building...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Orbital Sciences Corp. Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences technicians continue to work on cabling on the aft end of the Taurus XL r... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Orbital Sciences Corp. Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the third stage of the Taurus XL rocket joins the first and second stage on an Assembly Integration Trailer in preparation for moving to Pad 576-E on north Vandenberg later this month. The Orbital Sciences Taurus XL rocket, targeted to lift off Feb. 23, 2011, from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E, will take NASA's Glory satellite into low Earth orbit. Glory is scheduled to collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-2011-1038

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Orbital Sciences Corp. Building...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Orbital Sciences Corp. Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the third stage of the Taurus XL rocket joins the first and second stage on an Assembly In... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Orbital Sciences Corp. Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the first and second stage of the Taurus XL rocket is being loaded onto an Assembly Integration Trailer in preparation for moving to Pad 576-E on north Vandenberg later this month. The Orbital Sciences Taurus XL rocket, targeted to lift off Feb. 23, 2011, from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E, will take NASA's Glory satellite into low Earth. Glory is scheduled to collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-2011-1037

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Orbital Sciences Corp. Building...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Orbital Sciences Corp. Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the first and second stage of the Taurus XL rocket is being loaded onto an Assembly Integr... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Orbital Sciences Corp. Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians monitor the loading of the Taurus XL rocket components onto an Assembly Integration Trailer in preparation for moving to Pad 576-E on north Vandenberg later this month. The Orbital Sciences Taurus XL rocket, targeted to lift off Feb. 23, 2011, from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E, will take NASA's Glory satellite into low Earth orbit. Glory is scheduled to collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-2011-1040

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Orbital Sciences Corp. Building...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Orbital Sciences Corp. Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians monitor the loading of the Taurus XL rocket components onto an Assembly Integr... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The latest Earth-observing satellite developed by NASA, called Glory, is moved into the Astrotech Payload Processing Facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. An Orbital Sciences Taurus XL rocket is targeted to launch Glory into low Earth orbit Feb. 23 from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E. Once in orbit, Glory will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA/Ed Henry, VAFB KSC-2011-1069

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The latest Earth-observing satelli...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The latest Earth-observing satellite developed by NASA, called Glory, is moved into the Astrotech Payload Processing Facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. An O... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The latest Earth-observing satellite developed by NASA, called Glory, is inside the Astrotech Payload Processing Facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. An Orbital Sciences Taurus XL rocket is targeted to launch Glory into low Earth orbit Feb. 23 from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E. Once in orbit, Glory will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA/Ed Henry, VAFB KSC-2011-1071

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The latest Earth-observing satelli...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The latest Earth-observing satellite developed by NASA, called Glory, is inside the Astrotech Payload Processing Facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. An Orbit... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The latest Earth-observing satellite developed by NASA, called Glory, is inside the Astrotech Payload Processing Facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. An Orbital Sciences Taurus XL rocket is targeted to launch Glory into low Earth orbit Feb. 23 from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E. Once in orbit, Glory will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA/Ed Henry, VAFB KSC-2011-1070

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The latest Earth-observing satelli...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The latest Earth-observing satellite developed by NASA, called Glory, is inside the Astrotech Payload Processing Facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. An Orbit... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians remove the shipping container surrounding NASA's Glory spacecraft. Next, technicians will take off Glory's protective covering before it is encapsulated in a protective payload fairing for flight. In early February, Glory is scheduled to be transported Space Launch Complex 576-E where it will be joined with the Taurus XL rocket, which is manufactured by Orbital Sciences Corp. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Ed Henry, VAFB KSC-2011-1115

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech processing f...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians remove the shipping container surrounding NASA's Glory spacecraft. Next, tec... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, NASA's Glory spacecraft is situated on a dolly and ready for processing. Next, technicians will take off Glory's protective covering before it is encapsulated in a protective payload fairing for flight. In early February, Glory is scheduled to be transported Space Launch Complex 576-E where it will be joined with the Taurus XL rocket, which is manufactured by Orbital Sciences Corp. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Ed Henry, VAFB KSC-2011-1119

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech processing f...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, NASA's Glory spacecraft is situated on a dolly and ready for processing. Next, technici... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians prepare to transfer NASA's Glory spacecraft to a processing dolly. Next, technicians will take off Glory's protective covering before it is encapsulated in a protective payload fairing for flight. In early February, Glory is scheduled to be transported Space Launch Complex 576-E where it will be joined with the Taurus XL rocket, which is manufactured by Orbital Sciences Corp. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Ed Henry, VAFB KSC-2011-1117

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech processing f...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians prepare to transfer NASA's Glory spacecraft to a processing dolly. Next, te... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians prepare to remove the shipping container surrounding NASA's Glory spacecraft. Next, technicians will take off Glory's protective covering before it is encapsulated in a protective payload fairing for flight. In early February, Glory is scheduled to be transported Space Launch Complex 576-E where it will be joined with the Taurus XL rocket, which is manufactured by Orbital Sciences Corp. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Ed Henry, VAFB KSC-2011-1114

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech processing f...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians prepare to remove the shipping container surrounding NASA's Glory spacecraft... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians removed most of the protective covering surrounding NASA's Glory spacecraft. Next, the spacecraft will be encapsulated in its protective payload fairing before it is transported to Space Launch Complex 576-E and joined with the Taurus XL rocket's third stage. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Ed Henry, VAFB KSC-2011-1093

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians removed most of the protective covering surrounding NASA's Glory spa... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers move one half of the fairing, wrapped in plastic protective covering, into a cargo container for transport from the Orbital Sciences Corp. Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California to the Astrotech Payload Processing Facility. Once both halves of the fairing are delivered to Astrotech they will be installed around NASA's Glory satellite to protect it from the weather at the launch pad as well as from the atmosphere during flight. A four-stage Taurus XL rocket will carry Glory into low Earth orbit. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 2:09 a.m. PST Feb. 23 from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2011-1081

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers move one half of the fair...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers move one half of the fairing, wrapped in plastic protective covering, into a cargo container for transport from the Orbital Sciences Corp. Building 1555 at Vandenb... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians begin to remove the protective covering surrounding NASA's Glory spacecraft. Next, the spacecraft will be encapsulated in its protective payload fairing before it is transported to Space Launch Complex 576-E and joined with the Taurus XL rocket's third stage. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Ed Henry, VAFB KSC-2011-1087

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians begin to remove the protective covering surrounding NASA's Glory spa... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the protective payload fairing that will surround NASA's Glory spacecraft arrives at the Astrotech payload processing facility. Once encapsulated, the spacecraft will be transported to Space Launch Complex 576-E and joined with the Taurus XL rocket's third stage. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Ed Henry, VAFB KSC-2011-1095

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the protective payload fairing that will surround NASA's Glory spacecraft arrives at the Astrotech payload processing facility. O... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians removed most of the protective covering surrounding NASA's Glory spacecraft. Next, the spacecraft will be encapsulated in its protective payload fairing before it is transported to Space Launch Complex 576-E and joined with the Taurus XL rocket's third stage. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Ed Henry, VAFB KSC-2011-1091

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians removed most of the protective covering surrounding NASA's Glory spa... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, NASA's Glory spacecraft will be removed from its protective covering. Next, the spacecraft will be encapsulated in its protective payload fairing before it is transported to Space Launch Complex 576-E and joined with the Taurus XL rocket's third stage. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Ed Henry, VAFB KSC-2011-1084

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, NASA's Glory spacecraft will be removed from its protective covering. Next, the ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At the Orbital Sciences Corp. Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a crane lifts the cargo container housing one half of the fairing onto a trailer for transport to the Astrotech Payload Processing Facility. Once both halves of the fairing are delivered to Astrotech they will be installed around NASA's Glory satellite to protect it from the weather at the launch pad as well as from the atmosphere during flight. A four-stage Taurus XL rocket will carry Glory into low Earth orbit. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 2:09 a.m. PST Feb. 23 from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2011-1083

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At the Orbital Sciences Corp. Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a crane lifts the cargo container housing one half of the fairing onto a trailer for ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the protective payload fairing that will surround NASA's Glory spacecraft arrives at the Astrotech payload processing facility. Once encapsulated, the spacecraft will be transported to Space Launch Complex 576-E and joined with the Taurus XL rocket's third stage. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Ed Henry, VAFB KSC-2011-1094

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the protective payload fairing that will surround NASA's Glory spacecraft arrives at the Astrotech payload processing facility. O... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, NASA's Glory spacecraft will be removed from its protective covering. Next, the spacecraft will be encapsulated in its protective payload fairing before it is transported to Space Launch Complex 576-E and joined with the Taurus XL rocket's third stage. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Ed Henry, VAFB KSC-2011-1085

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, NASA's Glory spacecraft will be removed from its protective covering. Next, the ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Orbital Sciences Corp. Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a worker installs a protective blanket over the Stage 0 motor in preparation for its move to Space Launch Complex 576-E, scheduled for Jan. 17. As part of the four-stage Taurus XL rocket that will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low Earth orbit, stages 1, 2 and 3 will join Stage 0 at the launch pad about a week later. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2011-1098

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Orbital Sciences Corp....

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Inside the Orbital Sciences Corp. Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a worker installs a protective blanket over the Stage 0 motor in preparation for ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The payload fairing for the Glory mission stands in the East High Bay at the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The payload fairing will cover the Glory spacecraft and be placed at the top of a Taurus XL rocket slated to lift the spacecraft into orbit. The payload fairing will protect the Glory spacecraft from aerodynamic pressures and heating during the first part of its climb into orbit. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Ed Henry, VAFB KSC-2011-1168

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The payload fairing for the Glory...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The payload fairing for the Glory mission stands in the East High Bay at the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The payload fa... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A technician uncovers half of the payload fairing for the Glory mission after the section was moved to the East High Bay of the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The payload fairing will protect the Glory spacecraft from aerodynamic pressures and heating during the first part of its climb into orbit. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Ed Henry, VAFB KSC-2011-1163

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A technician uncovers half of the...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A technician uncovers half of the payload fairing for the Glory mission after the section was moved to the East High Bay of the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vand... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A technician prepare to remove the covering of the payload fairing for the Glory mission. He is working inside the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The payload fairing will protect the Glory spacecraft from aerodynamic pressures and heating during the first part of its climb into orbit. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Ed Henry, VAFB KSC-2011-1164

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A technician prepare to remove th...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A technician prepare to remove the covering of the payload fairing for the Glory mission. He is working inside the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Fo... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A technician works in the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California before the pieces that will make up the payload fairing for the Glory mission are moved to the East High Bay. The payload fairing will protect the Glory spacecraft from aerodynamic pressures and heating during the first part of its climb into orbit. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Ed Henry, VAFB KSC-2011-1162

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A technician works in the Astrote...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A technician works in the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California before the pieces that will make up the payload fairing for the Gl... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Technicians wheel the payload fairing for the Glory mission into the East High Bay at the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The payload fairing will cover the Glory spacecraft and be placed at the top of a Taurus XL rocket slated to lift the spacecraft into orbit. The payload fairing will protect the Glory spacecraft from aerodynamic pressures and heating during the first part of its climb into orbit. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Ed Henry, VAFB KSC-2011-1167

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Technicians wheel the payload fai...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Technicians wheel the payload fairing for the Glory mission into the East High Bay at the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. T... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A technician works with half of the payload fairing to be used in the Glory mission before the fairing is moved to the East High Bay at the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The payload fairing will protect the Glory spacecraft from aerodynamic pressures and heating during the first part of its climb into orbit. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Ed Henry, VAFB KSC-2011-1160

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A technician works with half of t...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A technician works with half of the payload fairing to be used in the Glory mission before the fairing is moved to the East High Bay at the Astrotech payload processing faci... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL rocket is almost ready for its journey from Building 1555 to Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. As part of the four-stage Taurus XL rocket that will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low Earth orbit, stages 1, 2 and 3 will join Stage 0 at the launch pad about a week later. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2011-1100

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL rocket is almost ready for its journey from Building 1555 to Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Bas... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL rocket arrives at Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Next, Stage 0 will be hoisted into its launch position. As part of the four-stage Taurus XL rocket that will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low Earth orbit, stages 1, 2 and 3 will join Stage 0 at the launch pad about a week later. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2011-1104

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL rocket arrives at Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Next, Stage 0 will be hois... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL is hoisted into launch position by crane at Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. As part of the four-stage Taurus XL rocket that will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low Earth orbit, stages 1, 2 and 3 will join Stage 0 at the launch pad about a week later. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2011-1107

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL is hoisted into launch position by crane at Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers on Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California prepare for the arrival of the Stage 0 motor of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL rocket. Once at the pad, Stage 0 will be hoisted into its launch position. As part of the four-stage Taurus XL rocket that will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low Earth orbit, stages 1, 2 and 3 will join Stage 0 at the launch pad about a week later. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2011-1103

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers on Space Launch Complex 5...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers on Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California prepare for the arrival of the Stage 0 motor of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL rocket.... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- With Stage 0 of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL in launch position on Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians inch close to the crane that moved it into position in order to unlatch the two pieces of machinery. As part of the four-stage Taurus XL rocket that will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low Earth orbit, stages 1, 2 and 3 will join Stage 0 at the launch pad about a week later. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2011-1112

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- With Stage 0 of the Orbital Scien...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- With Stage 0 of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL in launch position on Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians inch close to t... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL rocket arrives at Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Next, Stage 0 will be hoisted into its launch position. As part of the four-stage Taurus XL rocket that will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low Earth orbit, stages 1, 2 and 3 will join Stage 0 at the launch pad about a week later. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2011-1105

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL rocket arrives at Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Next, Stage 0 will be hois... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor, left, of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL rocket is almost ready for its journey from Building 1555 to Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. As part of the four-stage Taurus XL rocket that will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low Earth orbit, stages 1, 2 and 3, right, will join Stage 0 at the launch pad about a week later. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2011-1101

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor, left, of the O...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor, left, of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL rocket is almost ready for its journey from Building 1555 to Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Fo... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL is ready to be moved into launch position on Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. As part of the four-stage Taurus XL rocket that will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low Earth orbit, stages 1, 2 and 3 will join Stage 0 at the launch pad about a week later. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2011-1108

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL is ready to be moved into launch position on Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL rocket arrives at Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Next, Stage 0 will be hoisted into its launch position. As part of the four-stage Taurus XL rocket that will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low Earth orbit, stages 1, 2 and 3 will join Stage 0 at the launch pad about a week later. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Don Kosoksa, VAFB KSC-2011-1169

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL rocket arrives at Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Next, Stage 0 will be hois... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL is hoisted into launch position by crane at Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. As part of the four-stage Taurus XL rocket that will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low Earth orbit, stages 1, 2 and 3 will join Stage 0 at the launch pad about a week later. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2011-1106

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL is hoisted into launch position by crane at Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL is moved into launch position on Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. As part of the four-stage Taurus XL rocket that will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low Earth orbit, stages 1, 2 and 3 will join Stage 0 at the launch pad about a week later. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2011-1111

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL is moved into launch position on Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. As part of ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers adjust the Stage 0 motor of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL into launch position on Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. As part of the four-stage Taurus XL rocket that will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low Earth orbit, stages 1, 2 and 3 will join Stage 0 at the launch pad about a week later. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Don Kosoksa, VAFB KSC-2011-1172

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers adjust the Stage 0 motor ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers adjust the Stage 0 motor of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL into launch position on Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. As pa... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL is hoisted into launch position by crane at Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. As part of the four-stage Taurus XL rocket that will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low Earth orbit, stages 1, 2 and 3 will join Stage 0 at the launch pad about a week later. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Don Kosoksa, VAFB KSC-2011-1170

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL is hoisted into launch position by crane at Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers move the Stage 0 motor of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL into launch position on Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. As part of the four-stage Taurus XL rocket that will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low Earth orbit, stages 1, 2 and 3 will join Stage 0 at the launch pad about a week later. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Don Kosoksa, VAFB KSC-2011-1173

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers move the Stage 0 motor of...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Workers move the Stage 0 motor of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL into launch position on Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. As part... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL is moved into launch position on Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. As part of the four-stage Taurus XL rocket that will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low Earth orbit, stages 1, 2 and 3 will join Stage 0 at the launch pad about a week later. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Don Kosoksa, VAFB KSC-2011-1171

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL is moved into launch position on Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. As part of ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL rocket makes its journey from Building 1555 to Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. As part of the four-stage Taurus XL rocket that will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low Earth orbit, stages 1, 2 and 3 will join Stage 0 at the launch pad about a week later. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2011-1102

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL rocket makes its journey from Building 1555 to Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in Californi... More

At the Orbital Sciences Corp. Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Stage 0/1 interstage, part of the four-stage Taurus XL rocket that will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low Earth orbit, is being prepared for transport to Space Launch Complex 576-E. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB GLORY

At the Orbital Sciences Corp. Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Ba...

At the Orbital Sciences Corp. Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Stage 0/1 interstage, part of the four-stage Taurus XL rocket that will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low Earth orbit... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The solar arrays of NASA's Glory spacecraft will be uncovered and illuminated in the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The spacecraft will be processed for flight, encapsulated in its protective payload fairing, and then transported to Space Launch Complex 576-E where is will be joined with the third stage of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL rocket. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2011-1175

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The solar arrays of NASA's Glory ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The solar arrays of NASA's Glory spacecraft will be uncovered and illuminated in the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The sp... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The solar arrays of NASA's Glory spacecraft are illuminated in the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The spacecraft will be processed for flight, encapsulated in its protective payload fairing, and then transported to Space Launch Complex 576-E where is will be joined with the third stage of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL rocket. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Ed Henry, VAFB KSC-2011-1178

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The solar arrays of NASA's Glory ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The solar arrays of NASA's Glory spacecraft are illuminated in the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The spacecraft will be p... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The solar arrays of NASA's Glory spacecraft are illuminated in the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The spacecraft will be processed for flight, encapsulated in its protective payload fairing, and then transported to Space Launch Complex 576-E where is will be joined with the third stage of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL rocket. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2011-1176

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The solar arrays of NASA's Glory ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The solar arrays of NASA's Glory spacecraft are illuminated in the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The spacecraft will be p... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The payload fairing that will surround and protect NASA's Glory spacecraft during its trip to space await processing in the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Once encapsulated, Glory will be transported to Space Launch Complex 576-E where is will be joined with the third stage of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL rocket. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2011-1180

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The payload fairing that will sur...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The payload fairing that will surround and protect NASA's Glory spacecraft during its trip to space await processing in the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenbe... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers unlatch the crane's guide wires from the Stage 0/1 interstage, part of the four-stage Taurus XL rocket that will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low Earth orbit, after it was lowered into launch position. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2011-1186

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Space Launch Complex 576-E at ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers unlatch the crane's guide wires from the Stage 0/1 interstage, part of the four-stage Tauru... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Stage 0/1 interstage is attached to Stage 0 of the four-stage Taurus XL rocket that will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low Earth orbit. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Roy Allison, VAFB KSC-2011-1191

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Space Launch Complex 576-E at ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Stage 0/1 interstage is attached to Stage 0 of the four-stage Taurus XL rocket that will carry ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Stage 0/1 interstage, part of the four-stage Taurus XL rocket that will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low Earth orbit, is lifted by crane toward the pad at Space Launch Complex 576-E. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Roy Allison, VAFB KSC-2011-1188

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Stage 0/1 interstage, part of the four-stage Taurus XL rocket that will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low Earth orbit, i... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Stage 0/1 interstage, part of the four-stage Taurus XL rocket that will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low Earth orbit, is lifted by crane toward the pad at Space Launch Complex 576-E. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Roy Allison, VAFB KSC-2011-1189

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Stage 0/1 interstage, part of the four-stage Taurus XL rocket that will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low Earth orbit, i... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers guide the Stage 0/1 interstage, part of the four-stage Taurus XL rocket that will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low Earth orbit, as it is lowered by crane into launch position at Space Launch Complex 576-E. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2011-1184

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers guide the Stage 0/1 interstage, part of the four-stage Taurus XL rocket that will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Stage 0/1 interstage, part of the four-stage Taurus XL rocket that will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low Earth orbit, is lifted by crane toward the pad at Space Launch Complex 576-E. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2011-1183

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Stage 0/1 interstage, part of the four-stage Taurus XL rocket that will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low Earth orbit, i... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians configure the equipment for the fueling of the Glory spacecraft, seen in the background wrapped in a protective covering, with its attitude control propellant. The Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL rocket will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low Earth orbit. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Dan Liberotti, VAFB KSC-2011-1218

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At the Astrotech payload processi...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians configure the equipment for the fueling of the Glory spacecraft, seen i... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians configure the equipment for the fueling of the Glory spacecraft, seen in the background wrapped in a protective covering, with its attitude control propellant. The Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL rocket will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low Earth orbit. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Dan Liberotti, VAFB KSC-2011-1219

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At the Astrotech payload processi...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians configure the equipment for the fueling of the Glory spacecraft, seen i... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Taurus XL rocket's Stage 3 motor is moved to a stationary rail in a temporary processing tent near the pad at Space Launch Complex 576-E. Orbital Sciences' Taurus XL is a four-stage rocket that will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low Earth orbit. In early February, the spacecraft is scheduled to arrive at the pad, where it will be attached to the third stage and then stacked atop the remaining stages. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2011-1247

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Taurus XL rocket's Stage 3 motor is moved to a stationary rail in a temporary processing tent near the pad at Space Launch Co... More

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