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VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - Inside Orbital Sciences’ Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, this photo shows two of the Space Technology 5 (ST5) spacecraft's microsatellites mounted on the payload structure that is mated to the Orbital Sciences' Pegasus XL launch vehicle. The ST5 contains three microsatellites with miniaturized redundant components and technologies. Each will validate New Millennium Program selected technologies, such as the Cold Gas Micro-Thruster and X-Band Transponder Communication System. After deployment from the Pegasus, the micro-satellites will be positioned in a “string of pearls” constellation that demonstrates the ability to position them to perform simultaneous multi-point measurements of the magnetic field using highly sensitive magnetometers. The data will help scientists understand and map the intensity and direction of the Earth’s magnetic field, its relation to space weather events, and affects on our planet. With such missions, NASA hopes to improve scientists’ ability to accurately forecast space weather and minimize its harmful effects on space- and ground-based systems. Launch of ST5 is scheduled from the belly of an L-1011 carrier aircraft no earlier than March 14 from Vandenberg Air Force Base. KSC-06pd0432

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - Inside Orbital Sciences’ Building ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - Inside Orbital Sciences’ Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, this photo shows two of the Space Technology 5 (ST5) spacecraft's microsatellites mounted o... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - Inside Orbital Sciences’ Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers adjust the first half of the fairing around the Space Technology 5 (ST5) spacecraft. The ST5, which contains three microsatellites with miniaturized redundant components and technologies, is mated to its launch vehicle, Orbital Sciences' Pegasus XL. Each of the ST5 microsatellites will validate New Millennium Program selected technologies, such as the Cold Gas Micro-Thruster and X-Band Transponder Communication System. After deployment from the Pegasus, the micro-satellites will be positioned in a “string of pearls” constellation that demonstrates the ability to position them to perform simultaneous multi-point measurements of the magnetic field using highly sensitive magnetometers. The data will help scientists understand and map the intensity and direction of the Earth’s magnetic field, its relation to space weather events, and affects on our planet. Launch of ST5 and the Pegasus XL will be from underneath the belly of an L-1011 carrier aircraft on March 14 from Vandenberg Air Force Base. KSC-06pd0446

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - Inside Orbital Sciences’ Building ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - Inside Orbital Sciences’ Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers adjust the first half of the fairing around the Space Technology 5 (ST5) spacecraft... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - Inside Orbital Sciences’ Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers move the second half of the fairing into position around the Space Technology 5 (ST5) spacecraft. The ST5, which contains three microsatellites with miniaturized redundant components and technologies, is mated to its launch vehicle, Orbital Sciences' Pegasus XL. Each of the ST5 microsatellites will validate New Millennium Program selected technologies, such as the Cold Gas Micro-Thruster and X-Band Transponder Communication System. After deployment from the Pegasus, the micro-satellites will be positioned in a “string of pearls” constellation that demonstrates the ability to position them to perform simultaneous multi-point measurements of the magnetic field using highly sensitive magnetometers. The data will help scientists understand and map the intensity and direction of the Earth’s magnetic field, its relation to space weather events, and affects on our planet. Launch of ST5 and the Pegasus XL will be from underneath the belly of an L-1011 carrier aircraft on March 14 from Vandenberg Air Force Base. KSC-06pd0447

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - Inside Orbital Sciences’ Building ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - Inside Orbital Sciences’ Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers move the second half of the fairing into position around the Space Technology 5 (ST... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - Inside Orbital Sciences’ Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers position the second half of the fairing into place around the Space Technology 5 (ST5) spacecraft. The ST5, which contains three microsatellites with miniaturized redundant components and technologies, is mated to its launch vehicle, Orbital Sciences' Pegasus XL. Each of the ST5 microsatellites will validate New Millennium Program selected technologies, such as the Cold Gas Micro-Thruster and X-Band Transponder Communication System. After deployment from the Pegasus, the micro-satellites will be positioned in a “string of pearls” constellation that demonstrates the ability to position them to perform simultaneous multi-point measurements of the magnetic field using highly sensitive magnetometers. The data will help scientists understand and map the intensity and direction of the Earth’s magnetic field, its relation to space weather events, and affects on our planet. Launch of ST5 and the Pegasus XL will be from underneath the belly of an L-1011 carrier aircraft on March 14 from Vandenberg Air Force Base. KSC-06pd0448

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - Inside Orbital Sciences’ Building ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - Inside Orbital Sciences’ Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers position the second half of the fairing into place around the Space Technology 5 (S... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - Inside Orbital Sciences’ Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers continue the installation of the second half of the fairing around the Space Technology 5 (ST5) spacecraft. The ST5, which contains three microsatellites with miniaturized redundant components and technologies, is mated to its launch vehicle, Orbital Sciences' Pegasus XL. Each of the ST5 microsatellites will validate New Millennium Program selected technologies, such as the Cold Gas Micro-Thruster and X-Band Transponder Communication System. After deployment from the Pegasus, the micro-satellites will be positioned in a “string of pearls” constellation that demonstrates the ability to position them to perform simultaneous multi-point measurements of the magnetic field using highly sensitive magnetometers. The data will help scientists understand and map the intensity and direction of the Earth’s magnetic field, its relation to space weather events, and affects on our planet. Launch of ST5 and the Pegasus XL will be from underneath the belly of an L-1011 carrier aircraft on March 14 from Vandenberg Air Force Base. KSC-06pd0450

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - Inside Orbital Sciences’ Building ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - Inside Orbital Sciences’ Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers continue the installation of the second half of the fairing around the Space Techno... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - Inside Orbital Sciences’ Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers check the placement of the second half of the fairing around the Space Technology 5 (ST5) spacecraft. The ST5, which contains three microsatellites with miniaturized redundant components and technologies, is mated to its launch vehicle, Orbital Sciences' Pegasus XL. Each of the ST5 microsatellites will validate New Millennium Program selected technologies, such as the Cold Gas Micro-Thruster and X-Band Transponder Communication System. After deployment from the Pegasus, the micro-satellites will be positioned in a “string of pearls” constellation that demonstrates the ability to position them to perform simultaneous multi-point measurements of the magnetic field using highly sensitive magnetometers. The data will help scientists understand and map the intensity and direction of the Earth’s magnetic field, its relation to space weather events, and affects on our planet. Launch of ST5 and the Pegasus XL will be from underneath the belly of an L-1011 carrier aircraft on March 14 from Vandenberg Air Force Base. KSC-06pd0449

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - Inside Orbital Sciences’ Building ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - Inside Orbital Sciences’ Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers check the placement of the second half of the fairing around the Space Technology 5... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - On the ramp adjacent to the runway at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Space Technology 5's Pegasus rocket is placed in position to be mated to the underside of an Orbital Sciences L-1011 carrier aircraft. The ST5, which contains three microsatellites with miniaturized redundant components and technologies, is mated to its launch vehicle, Orbital Sciences' Pegasus XL. Each of the ST5 microsatellites will validate New Millennium Program selected technologies, such as the Cold Gas Micro-Thruster and X-Band Transponder Communication System. After deployment from the Pegasus, the micro-satellites will be positioned in a “string of pearls” constellation that demonstrates the ability to position them to perform simultaneous multi-point measurements of the magnetic field using highly sensitive magnetometers. The data will help scientists understand and map the intensity and direction of the Earth’s magnetic field, its relation to space weather events, and affects on our planet. Launch of ST5 and the Pegasus XL will be from underneath the belly of an L-1011 carrier aircraft from Vandenberg Air Force Base. KSC-06pd0555

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - On the ramp adjacent to the runway...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - On the ramp adjacent to the runway at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Space Technology 5's Pegasus rocket is placed in position to be mated to the underside of a... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - On the ramp adjacent to the runway at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a worker positions the vertical fin within the Orbital Sciences L-1011 aircraft. The fin will then be attached to the Space Technology 5's Pegasus rocket which will be mated to the underside of the carrier aircraft. The ST5, which contains three microsatellites with miniaturized redundant components and technologies, is mated to its launch vehicle, Orbital Sciences' Pegasus XL. Each of the ST5 microsatellites will validate New Millennium Program selected technologies, such as the Cold Gas Micro-Thruster and X-Band Transponder Communication System. After deployment from the Pegasus, the micro-satellites will be positioned in a “string of pearls” constellation that demonstrates the ability to position them to perform simultaneous multi-point measurements of the magnetic field using highly sensitive magnetometers. The data will help scientists understand and map the intensity and direction of the Earth’s magnetic field, its relation to space weather events, and affects on our planet. Launch of ST5 and the Pegasus XL will be from underneath the belly of an L-1011 carrier aircraft from Vandenberg Air Force Base. KSC-06pd0556

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - On the ramp adjacent to the runway...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - On the ramp adjacent to the runway at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a worker positions the vertical fin within the Orbital Sciences L-1011 aircraft. The fin will t... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - On the ramp adjacent to the runway at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers secure the Space Technology 5's Pegasus rocket to the underside of an Orbital Sciences L-1011 carrier aircraft. The ST5, which contains three microsatellites with miniaturized redundant components and technologies, is mated to its launch vehicle, Orbital Sciences' Pegasus XL. Each of the ST5 microsatellites will validate New Millennium Program selected technologies, such as the Cold Gas Micro-Thruster and X-Band Transponder Communication System. After deployment from the Pegasus, the micro-satellites will be positioned in a “string of pearls” constellation that demonstrates the ability to position them to perform simultaneous multi-point measurements of the magnetic field using highly sensitive magnetometers. The data will help scientists understand and map the intensity and direction of the Earth’s magnetic field, its relation to space weather events, and affects on our planet. Launch of ST5 and the Pegasus XL will be from underneath the belly of an L-1011 carrier aircraft from Vandenberg Air Force Base. KSC-06pd0558

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - On the ramp adjacent to the runway...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - On the ramp adjacent to the runway at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers secure the Space Technology 5's Pegasus rocket to the underside of an Orbital Sciences ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - On the ramp adjacent to the runway at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers install the Space Technology 5's Pegasus rocket beneath an Orbital Sciences L-1011 carrier aircraft. The ST5, which contains three microsatellites with miniaturized redundant components and technologies, is mated to its launch vehicle, Orbital Sciences' Pegasus XL. Each of the ST5 microsatellites will validate New Millennium Program selected technologies, such as the Cold Gas Micro-Thruster and X-Band Transponder Communication System. After deployment from the Pegasus, the micro-satellites will be positioned in a “string of pearls” constellation that demonstrates the ability to position them to perform simultaneous multi-point measurements of the magnetic field using highly sensitive magnetometers. The data will help scientists understand and map the intensity and direction of the Earth’s magnetic field, its relation to space weather events, and affects on our planet. Launch of ST5 and the Pegasus XL will be from underneath the belly of an L-1011 carrier aircraft from Vandenberg Air Force Base. KSC-06pd0557

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - On the ramp adjacent to the runway...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - On the ramp adjacent to the runway at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers install the Space Technology 5's Pegasus rocket beneath an Orbital Sciences L-1011 carr... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - Workers prepare to transport the Space Technology 5 (ST5) spacecraft from Orbital Sciences’ Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California to the L-1011 carrier aircraft in position on the ramp adjacent to the Vandenberg runway. The ST5, which contains three microsatellites with miniaturized redundant components and technologies, is mated to its launch vehicle, Orbital Sciences' Pegasus XL. Each of the ST5 microsatellites will validate New Millennium Program selected technologies, such as the Cold Gas Micro-Thruster and X-Band Transponder Communication System. After deployment from the Pegasus, the micro-satellites will be positioned in a “string of pearls” constellation that demonstrates the ability to position them to perform simultaneous multi-point measurements of the magnetic field using highly sensitive magnetometers. The data will help scientists understand and map the intensity and direction of the Earth’s magnetic field, its relation to space weather events, and affects on our planet. Launch of ST5 and the Pegasus XL will be from underneath the belly of an L-1011 carrier aircraft from Vandenberg Air Force Base. KSC-06pd0554

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - Workers prepare to transport the S...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - Workers prepare to transport the Space Technology 5 (ST5) spacecraft from Orbital Sciences’ Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California to the L-1011 carrier air... More

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL Mate

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL Mate

At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the three stages of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL are being mated for the launch of NASA's Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, or AIM, spacecraft. AIM is the seventh... More

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL Flight Simulation

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL Flight Simulation

At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a worker monitors the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket after a second flight simulation. The rocket is the launch vehicle for NASA's Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphe... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the three stages of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL are being mated for the launch of NASA's Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, or AIM, spacecraft. AIM is the seventh Small Explorers mission under NASA's Explorer Program. The program provides frequent flight opportunities for world-class scientific investigations from space within heliophysics and astrophysics. The AIM spacecraft will fly three instruments designed to study polar mesospheric clouds located at the edge of space, 50 miles above the Earth's surface in the coldest part of the planet's atmosphere. The mission's primary goal is to explain why these clouds form and what has caused them to become brighter and more numerous and appear at lower latitudes in recent years. AIM's results will provide the basis for the study of long-term variability in the mesospheric climate and its relationship to global climate change. AIM is scheduled to be mated to the Pegasus XL during the second week of April, after which final inspections will be conducted. Launch is scheduled for April 25. KSC-07pd0650

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the three stages of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL are being mated for the launch of NASA's Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, ... More

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL Flight Simulation

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL Flight Simulation

At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a worker monitors the data produced by the second flight simulation of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket. The rocket is the launch vehicle for NASA's Aeronomy of... More

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL Flight Simulation

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL Flight Simulation

At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers monitor the data produced by the second flight simulation of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket. The rocket is the launch vehicle for NASA's Aeronomy of I... More

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL Flight Simulation

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL Flight Simulation

At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket undergoes its second flight simulation. The rocket is the launch vehicle for NASA's Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, or AIM, ... More

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL Flight Simulation

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL Flight Simulation

At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers monitor the data produced by the second flight simulation of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket. The rocket is the launch vehicle for NASA's Aeronomy of I... More

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL Mate

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL Mate

At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a technician on the work stand (center) prepares the second stage of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket to be mated to the first stage, at left, for the launch of... More

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL Flight Simulation

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL Flight Simulation

Seen at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California is the fairing (foreground) for the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket. In the background is the third stage, under the clean room tent. The rocket is the launch ... More

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL Mate

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL Mate

At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians discuss the process for mating the first and second stages of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket in front of them. The rocket is the launch vehicle fo... More

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL Mate

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL Mate

At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the second and third stages of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket wait for mating. The rocket is the launch vehicle for the NASA's Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphe... More

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL Mate

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL Mate

At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a technician on the work stand prepares the first stage of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket, at left, to be mated to the second stage, at right, for the launch ... More

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL Mate

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL Mate

At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a technician on the work stand prepares the second stage of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket to be mated to the first stage, at left, for the launch of NASA's A... More

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL Mate

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL Mate

At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the three stages of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL are being mated for the launch of NASA's Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, or AIM, spacecraft. AIM is the seventh... More

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL Mate

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL Mate

At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a technician checks the final step in mating of the first and second stages of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket. The rocket is the launch vehicle for NASA's Aer... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a technician on the work stand prepares the first stage of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket, at left, to be mated to the second stage, at right, for the launch of NASA's Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, or AIM, spacecraft. AIM is the seventh Small Explorers mission under NASA's Explorer Program. The program provides frequent flight opportunities for world-class scientific investigations from space within heliophysics and astrophysics. The AIM spacecraft will fly three instruments designed to study polar mesospheric clouds located at the edge of space, 50 miles above the Earth's surface in the coldest part of the planet's atmosphere. The mission's primary goal is to explain why these clouds form and what has caused them to become brighter and more numerous and appear at lower latitudes in recent years. AIM's results will provide the basis for the study of long-term variability in the mesospheric climate and its relationship to global climate change. AIM is scheduled to be mated to the Pegasus XL during the second week of April, after which final inspections will be conducted. Launch is scheduled for April 25. KSC-07pd0653

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a technician on the work stand prepares the first stage of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket, at left, to be mated to the ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians discuss the process for mating the first and second stages of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket in front of them. The rocket is the launch vehicle for NASA's Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, or AIM, spacecraft. AIM is the seventh Small Explorers mission under NASA's Explorer Program. The program provides frequent flight opportunities for world-class scientific investigations from space within heliophysics and astrophysics. The AIM spacecraft will fly three instruments designed to study polar mesospheric clouds located at the edge of space, 50 miles above the Earth's surface in the coldest part of the planet's atmosphere. The mission's primary goal is to explain why these clouds form and what has caused them to become brighter and more numerous and appear at lower latitudes in recent years. AIM's results will provide the basis for the study of long-term variability in the mesospheric climate and its relationship to global climate change. AIM is scheduled to be mated to the Pegasus XL during the second week of April, after which final inspections will be conducted. Launch is scheduled for April 25. KSC-07pd0654

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians discuss the process for mating the first and second stages of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket in front of them... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a technician on the work stand (center) prepares the second stage of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket to be mated to the first stage, at left, for the launch of NASA's Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, or AIM, spacecraft. AIM is the seventh Small Explorers mission under NASA's Explorer Program. The program provides frequent flight opportunities for world-class scientific investigations from space within heliophysics and astrophysics. The AIM spacecraft will fly three instruments designed to study polar mesospheric clouds located at the edge of space, 50 miles above the Earth's surface in the coldest part of the planet's atmosphere. The mission's primary goal is to explain why these clouds form and what has caused them to become brighter and more numerous and appear at lower latitudes in recent years. AIM's results will provide the basis for the study of long-term variability in the mesospheric climate and its relationship to global climate change. AIM is scheduled to be mated to the Pegasus XL during the second week of April, after which final inspections will be conducted. Launch is scheduled for April 25. KSC-07pd0651

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a technician on the work stand (center) prepares the second stage of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket to be mated to the f... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a technician on the work stand prepares the second stage of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket to be mated to the first stage, at left, for the launch of NASA's Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, or AIM, spacecraft. AIM is the seventh Small Explorers mission under NASA's Explorer Program. The program provides frequent flight opportunities for world-class scientific investigations from space within heliophysics and astrophysics. The AIM spacecraft will fly three instruments designed to study polar mesospheric clouds located at the edge of space, 50 miles above the Earth's surface in the coldest part of the planet's atmosphere. The mission's primary goal is to explain why these clouds form and what has caused them to become brighter and more numerous and appear at lower latitudes in recent years. AIM's results will provide the basis for the study of long-term variability in the mesospheric climate and its relationship to global climate change. AIM is scheduled to be mated to the Pegasus XL during the second week of April, after which final inspections will be conducted. Launch is scheduled for April 25. KSC-07pd0652

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a technician on the work stand prepares the second stage of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket to be mated to the first sta... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a technician checks the final step in mating of the first and second stages of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket. The rocket is the launch vehicle for NASA's Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, or AIM, spacecraft. AIM is the seventh Small Explorers mission under NASA's Explorer Program. The program provides frequent flight opportunities for world-class scientific investigations from space within heliophysics and astrophysics. The AIM spacecraft will fly three instruments designed to study polar mesospheric clouds located at the edge of space, 50 miles above the Earth's surface in the coldest part of the planet's atmosphere. The mission's primary goal is to explain why these clouds form and what has caused them to become brighter and more numerous and appear at lower latitudes in recent years. AIM's results will provide the basis for the study of long-term variability in the mesospheric climate and its relationship to global climate change. AIM is scheduled to be mated to the Pegasus XL during the second week of April, after which final inspections will be conducted. Launch is scheduled for April 25. KSC-07pd0655

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 technician checks the final step in mating of the first and second stages of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket. The rocke... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a worker monitors the data produced by the second flight simulation of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket. The rocket is the launch vehicle for NASA's Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, or AIM, spacecraft. AIM is the seventh Small Explorers mission under NASA's Explorer Program. The program provides frequent flight opportunities for world-class scientific investigations from space within heliophysics and astrophysics. The AIM spacecraft will fly three instruments designed to study polar mesospheric clouds located at the edge of space, 50 miles above the Earth's surface in the coldest part of the planet's atmosphere. The mission's primary goal is to explain why these clouds form and what has caused them to become brighter and more numerous and appear at lower latitudes in recent years. AIM's results will provide the basis for the study of long-term variability in the mesospheric climate and its relationship to global climate change. AIM is scheduled to be mated to the Pegasus XL during the second week of April, after which final inspections will be conducted. Launch is scheduled for April 25. KSC-07pd0659

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a worker monitors the data produced by the second flight simulation of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket. The rocket is t... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. -- Seen at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California is the fairing (foreground) for the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket. In the background is the third stage, under the clean room tent. The rocket is the launch vehicle for NASA's Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, or AIM, spacecraft. AIM is the seventh Small Explorers mission under NASA's Explorer Program. The program provides frequent flight opportunities for world-class scientific investigations from space within heliophysics and astrophysics. The AIM spacecraft will fly three instruments designed to study polar mesospheric clouds located at the edge of space, 50 miles above the Earth's surface in the coldest part of the planet's atmosphere. The mission's primary goal is to explain why these clouds form and what has caused them to become brighter and more numerous and appear at lower latitudes in recent years. AIM's results will provide the basis for the study of long-term variability in the mesospheric climate and its relationship to global climate change. AIM is scheduled to be mated to the Pegasus XL during the second week of April, after which final inspections will be conducted. Launch is scheduled for April 25. KSC-07pd0657

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. -- Seen at Vandenberg Air Force Bas...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. -- Seen at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California is the fairing (foreground) for the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket. In the background is the third stage, under the clea... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers monitor the data produced by the second flight simulation of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket. The rocket is the launch vehicle for NASA's Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, or AIM, spacecraft. AIM is the seventh Small Explorers mission under NASA's Explorer Program. The program provides frequent flight opportunities for world-class scientific investigations from space within heliophysics and astrophysics. The AIM spacecraft will fly three instruments designed to study polar mesospheric clouds located at the edge of space, 50 miles above the Earth's surface in the coldest part of the planet's atmosphere. The mission's primary goal is to explain why these clouds form and what has caused them to become brighter and more numerous and appear at lower latitudes in recent years. AIM's results will provide the basis for the study of long-term variability in the mesospheric climate and its relationship to global climate change. AIM is scheduled to be mated to the Pegasus XL during the second week of April, after which final inspections will be conducted. Launch is scheduled for April 25. KSC-07pd0661

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers monitor the data produced by the second flight simulation of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket. The rocket is the... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket undergoes its second flight simulation. The rocket is the launch vehicle for NASA's Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, or AIM, spacecraft. AIM is the seventh Small Explorers mission under NASA's Explorer Program. The program provides frequent flight opportunities for world-class scientific investigations from space within heliophysics and astrophysics. The AIM spacecraft will fly three instruments designed to study polar mesospheric clouds located at the edge of space, 50 miles above the Earth's surface in the coldest part of the planet's atmosphere. The mission's primary goal is to explain why these clouds form and what has caused them to become brighter and more numerous and appear at lower latitudes in recent years. AIM's results will provide the basis for the study of long-term variability in the mesospheric climate and its relationship to global climate change. AIM is scheduled to be mated to the Pegasus XL during the second week of April, after which final inspections will be conducted. Launch is scheduled for April 25. KSC-07pd0656

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 Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket undergoes its second flight simulation. The rocket is the launch vehicle for NASA's Aeron... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers monitor the data produced by the second flight simulation of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket. The rocket is the launch vehicle for NASA's Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, or AIM, spacecraft. AIM is the seventh Small Explorers mission under NASA's Explorer Program. The program provides frequent flight opportunities for world-class scientific investigations from space within heliophysics and astrophysics. The AIM spacecraft will fly three instruments designed to study polar mesospheric clouds located at the edge of space, 50 miles above the Earth's surface in the coldest part of the planet's atmosphere. The mission's primary goal is to explain why these clouds form and what has caused them to become brighter and more numerous and appear at lower latitudes in recent years. AIM's results will provide the basis for the study of long-term variability in the mesospheric climate and its relationship to global climate change. AIM is scheduled to be mated to the Pegasus XL during the second week of April, after which final inspections will be conducted. Launch is scheduled for April 25. KSC-07pd0658

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers monitor the data produced by the second flight simulation of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket. The rocket is the... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a worker monitors the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket after a second flight simulation. The rocket is the launch vehicle for NASA's Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, or AIM, spacecraft. AIM is the seventh Small Explorers mission under NASA's Explorer Program. The program provides frequent flight opportunities for world-class scientific investigations from space within heliophysics and astrophysics. The AIM spacecraft will fly three instruments designed to study polar mesospheric clouds located at the edge of space, 50 miles above the Earth's surface in the coldest part of the planet's atmosphere. The mission's primary goal is to explain why these clouds form and what has caused them to become brighter and more numerous and appear at lower latitudes in recent years. AIM's results will provide the basis for the study of long-term variability in the mesospheric climate and its relationship to global climate change. AIM is scheduled to be mated to the Pegasus XL during the second week of April, after which final inspections will be conducted. Launch is scheduled for April 25. KSC-07pd0660

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a worker monitors the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket after a second flight simulation. The rocket is the launch vehicle for ... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the second and third stages of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket wait for mating. The rocket is the launch vehicle for the NASA's Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, or AIM, spacecraft. AIM is the seventh Small Explorers mission under NASA's Explorer Program. The program provides frequent flight opportunities for world-class scientific investigations from space within heliophysics and astrophysics. The AIM spacecraft will fly three instruments designed to study polar mesospheric clouds located at the edge of space, 50 miles above the Earth's surface in the coldest part of the planet's atmosphere. The mission's primary goal is to explain why these clouds form and what has caused them to become brighter and more numerous and appear at lower latitudes in recent years. AIM's results will provide the basis for the study of long-term variability in the mesospheric climate and its relationship to global climate change. AIM is scheduled to be mated to the Pegasus XL during the second week of April, after which final inspections will be conducted. Launch is scheduled for April 25. KSC-07pd0662

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the second and third stages of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket wait for mating. The rocket is the launch vehicle for th... More

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL AIM Arrival

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL AIM Arrival

Inside a clean room at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the shipping container removed from around NASA's Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, or AIM, spacecraft at left, is lowered onto the floor nearby.... More

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL AIM Processing

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL AIM Processing

Inside a clean room at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers observe NASA's Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, or AIM, spacecraft as it is lowered onto a scale. AIM is the seventh Small Explorers mis... More

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL AIM Arrival

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL AIM Arrival

Inside a clean room at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers remove the shipping container from around NASA's Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, or AIM, spacecraft. AIM is the seventh Small Explorers... More

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL AIM Processing

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL AIM Processing

Inside a clean room at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a worker adjusts the attach points of an overhead crane on NASA's Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, or AIM, spacecraft. AIM is the seventh Small ... More

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL AIM Processing

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL AIM Processing

Inside a clean room at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers stand beside NASA's Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, or AIM, spacecraft, waiting for an overhead crane they will attach. AIM is the seve... More

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL AIM Arrival

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL AIM Arrival

NASA's Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, or AIM, spacecraft arrives in a clean room at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. AIM is the seventh Small Explorers mission under NASA's Explorer Program. The pro... More

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL AIM Processing

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL AIM Processing

Inside a clean room at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, NASA's Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, or AIM, spacecraft is weighed. AIM is the seventh Small Explorers mission under NASA's Explorer Program.... More

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL AIM Arrival

Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL AIM Arrival

Inside a clean room at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers begin lifting the shipping container from around NASA's Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, or AIM, spacecraft. AIM is the seventh Small Ex... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside the clean-room "tent" of Building 1555 at North Vandenberg Air Force Base, a technician places a star tracker cover on the AIM spacecraft during testing of the solar array panel deployment. The AIM spacecraft will fly three instruments designed to study polar mesospheric clouds located at the edge of space, 50 miles above the Earth's surface in the coldest part of the planet's atmosphere. The mission's primary goal is to explain why these clouds form and what has caused them to become brighter and more numerous and appear at lower latitudes in recent years. AIM's results will provide the basis for the study of long-term variability in the mesospheric climate and its relationship to global climate change. AIM is scheduled to be mated to its launch vehicle, Orbital Sciences' Pegasus XL, during the second week of April, after which final inspections will be conducted. Launch is scheduled for April 25. KSC-07pd0699

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside the clean-room "tent" of Build...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside the clean-room "tent" of Building 1555 at North Vandenberg Air Force Base, a technician places a star tracker cover on the AIM spacecraft during testing of the solar arra... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside the clean-room "tent" of Building 1555 at North Vandenberg Air Force Base, a star tracker cover is ready for placement on the AIM spacecraft during testing of the solar array panel deployment. The AIM spacecraft will fly three instruments designed to study polar mesospheric clouds located at the edge of space, 50 miles above the Earth's surface in the coldest part of the planet's atmosphere. The mission's primary goal is to explain why these clouds form and what has caused them to become brighter and more numerous and appear at lower latitudes in recent years. AIM's results will provide the basis for the study of long-term variability in the mesospheric climate and its relationship to global climate change. AIM is scheduled to be mated to its launch vehicle, Orbital Sciences' Pegasus XL, during the second week of April, after which final inspections will be conducted. Launch is scheduled for April 25. KSC-07pd0698

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside the clean-room "tent" of Buildi...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside the clean-room "tent" of Building 1555 at North Vandenberg Air Force Base, a star tracker cover is ready for placement on the AIM spacecraft during testing of the solar ar... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside the clean-room "tent" of Building 1555 at North Vandenberg Air Force Base, technicians place a star tracker cover on the AIM spacecraft during testing of the solar array panel deployment. The AIM spacecraft will fly three instruments designed to study polar mesospheric clouds located at the edge of space, 50 miles above the Earth's surface in the coldest part of the planet's atmosphere. The mission's primary goal is to explain why these clouds form and what has caused them to become brighter and more numerous and appear at lower latitudes in recent years. AIM's results will provide the basis for the study of long-term variability in the mesospheric climate and its relationship to global climate change. AIM is scheduled to be mated to its launch vehicle, Orbital Sciences' Pegasus XL, during the second week of April, after which final inspections will be conducted. Launch is scheduled for April 25. KSC-07pd0700

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside the clean-room "tent" of Buildi...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Inside the clean-room "tent" of Building 1555 at North Vandenberg Air Force Base, technicians place a star tracker cover on the AIM spacecraft during testing of the solar array p... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Building 1555 on North Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians look over the spacecraft handling fixture that will be used to lift the AIM spacecraft. AIM, which stands for Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, is being prepared for integrated testing and a flight simulation. The AIM spacecraft will fly three instruments designed to study polar mesospheric clouds located at the edge of space, 50 miles above the Earth's surface in the coldest part of the planet's atmosphere. The mission's primary goal is to explain why these clouds form and what has caused them to become brighter and more numerous and appear at lower latitudes in recent years. AIM's results will provide the basis for the study of long-term variability in the mesospheric climate and its relationship to global climate change. AIM is scheduled to be mated to its launch vehicle, Orbital Sciences' Pegasus XL, during the second week of April, after which final inspections will be conducted. Launch is scheduled for April 25. KSC-07pd0782

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Building 1555 on North Vandenberg A...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Building 1555 on North Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians look over the spacecraft handling fixture that will be used to lift the AIM spacecraft. AIM, which ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Building 1555 on North Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians work on the separation system to be mated to the AIM spacecraft. AIM, which stands for Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, is being prepared for integrated testing and a flight simulation. The AIM spacecraft will fly three instruments designed to study polar mesospheric clouds located at the edge of space, 50 miles above the Earth's surface in the coldest part of the planet's atmosphere. The mission's primary goal is to explain why these clouds form and what has caused them to become brighter and more numerous and appear at lower latitudes in recent years. AIM's results will provide the basis for the study of long-term variability in the mesospheric climate and its relationship to global climate change. AIM is scheduled to be mated to its launch vehicle, Orbital Sciences' Pegasus XL, during the second week of April, after which final inspections will be conducted. Launch is scheduled for April 25. KSC-07pd0776

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Building 1555 on North Vandenberg A...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Building 1555 on North Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians work on the separation system to be mated to the AIM spacecraft. AIM, which stands for Aeronomy of ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Building 1555 on North Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians work on the separation system to be mated to the AIM spacecraft, hovering above it. AIM, which stands for Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, is being prepared for integrated testing and a flight simulation. The AIM spacecraft will fly three instruments designed to study polar mesospheric clouds located at the edge of space, 50 miles above the Earth's surface in the coldest part of the planet's atmosphere. The mission's primary goal is to explain why these clouds form and what has caused them to become brighter and more numerous and appear at lower latitudes in recent years. AIM's results will provide the basis for the study of long-term variability in the mesospheric climate and its relationship to global climate change. AIM is scheduled to be mated to its launch vehicle, Orbital Sciences' Pegasus XL, during the second week of April, after which final inspections will be conducted. Launch is scheduled for April 25. KSC-07pd0780

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Building 1555 on North Vandenberg A...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Building 1555 on North Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians work on the separation system to be mated to the AIM spacecraft, hovering above it. AIM, which stan... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Building 1555 on North Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians lift the AIM spacecraft via the spacecraft handling fixture attached to it. AIM, which stands for Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, is being prepared for integrated testing and a flight simulation. The AIM spacecraft will fly three instruments designed to study polar mesospheric clouds located at the edge of space, 50 miles above the Earth's surface in the coldest part of the planet's atmosphere. The mission's primary goal is to explain why these clouds form and what has caused them to become brighter and more numerous and appear at lower latitudes in recent years. AIM's results will provide the basis for the study of long-term variability in the mesospheric climate and its relationship to global climate change. AIM is scheduled to be mated to its launch vehicle, Orbital Sciences' Pegasus XL, during the second week of April, after which final inspections will be conducted. Launch is scheduled for April 25. KSC-07pd0787

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Building 1555 on North Vandenberg A...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Building 1555 on North Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians lift the AIM spacecraft via the spacecraft handling fixture attached to it. AIM, which stands for A... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Building 1555 on North Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians lower the spacecraft handling fixture around the AIM spacecraft. AIM, which stands for Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, is being prepared for integrated testing and a flight simulation. The AIM spacecraft will fly three instruments designed to study polar mesospheric clouds located at the edge of space, 50 miles above the Earth's surface in the coldest part of the planet's atmosphere. The mission's primary goal is to explain why these clouds form and what has caused them to become brighter and more numerous and appear at lower latitudes in recent years. AIM's results will provide the basis for the study of long-term variability in the mesospheric climate and its relationship to global climate change. AIM is scheduled to be mated to its launch vehicle, Orbital Sciences' Pegasus XL, during the second week of April, after which final inspections will be conducted. Launch is scheduled for April 25. KSC-07pd0786

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Building 1555 on North Vandenberg A...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Building 1555 on North Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians lower the spacecraft handling fixture around the AIM spacecraft. AIM, which stands for Aeronomy of ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Building 1555 on North Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians move a mobile stand toward the AIM spacecraft suspended via a crane at left. . AIM, which stands for Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, is being prepared for integrated testing and a flight simulation. The AIM spacecraft will fly three instruments designed to study polar mesospheric clouds located at the edge of space, 50 miles above the Earth's surface in the coldest part of the planet's atmosphere. The mission's primary goal is to explain why these clouds form and what has caused them to become brighter and more numerous and appear at lower latitudes in recent years. AIM's results will provide the basis for the study of long-term variability in the mesospheric climate and its relationship to global climate change. AIM is scheduled to be mated to its launch vehicle, Orbital Sciences' Pegasus XL, during the second week of April, after which final inspections will be conducted. Launch is scheduled for April 25. KSC-07pd0788

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Building 1555 on North Vandenberg A...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Building 1555 on North Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians move a mobile stand toward the AIM spacecraft suspended via a crane at left. . AIM, which stands fo... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Building 1555 on North Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians maneuver the spacecraft handling fixture toward the AIM spacecraft. AIM, which stands for Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, is being prepared for integrated testing and a flight simulation. The AIM spacecraft will fly three instruments designed to study polar mesospheric clouds located at the edge of space, 50 miles above the Earth's surface in the coldest part of the planet's atmosphere. The mission's primary goal is to explain why these clouds form and what has caused them to become brighter and more numerous and appear at lower latitudes in recent years. AIM's results will provide the basis for the study of long-term variability in the mesospheric climate and its relationship to global climate change. AIM is scheduled to be mated to its launch vehicle, Orbital Sciences' Pegasus XL, during the second week of April, after which final inspections will be conducted. Launch is scheduled for April 25. KSC-07pd0785

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Building 1555 on North Vandenberg A...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Building 1555 on North Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians maneuver the spacecraft handling fixture toward the AIM spacecraft. AIM, which stands for Aeronom... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Building 1555 on North Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians roll the AIM spacecraft back under the protective clean tent. AIM, which stands for Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, is being prepared for integrated testing and a flight simulation. The AIM spacecraft will fly three instruments designed to study polar mesospheric clouds located at the edge of space, 50 miles above the Earth's surface in the coldest part of the planet's atmosphere. The mission's primary goal is to explain why these clouds form and what has caused them to become brighter and more numerous and appear at lower latitudes in recent years. AIM's results will provide the basis for the study of long-term variability in the mesospheric climate and its relationship to global climate change. AIM is scheduled to be mated to its launch vehicle, Orbital Sciences' Pegasus XL, during the second week of April, after which final inspections will be conducted. Launch is scheduled for April 25. KSC-07pd0791

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Building 1555 on North Vandenberg...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Building 1555 on North Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians roll the AIM spacecraft back under the protective clean tent. AIM, which stands for Aeronomy of I... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Building 1555 on North Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians carry the separation system, at left, toward the AIM spacecraft hovering above the stand at right. AIM, which stands for Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, is being prepared for integrated testing and a flight simulation. The AIM spacecraft will fly three instruments designed to study polar mesospheric clouds located at the edge of space, 50 miles above the Earth's surface in the coldest part of the planet's atmosphere. The mission's primary goal is to explain why these clouds form and what has caused them to become brighter and more numerous and appear at lower latitudes in recent years. AIM's results will provide the basis for the study of long-term variability in the mesospheric climate and its relationship to global climate change. AIM is scheduled to be mated to its launch vehicle, Orbital Sciences' Pegasus XL, during the second week of April, after which final inspections will be conducted. Launch is scheduled for April 25. KSC-07pd0779

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Building 1555 on North Vandenberg A...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Building 1555 on North Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians carry the separation system, at left, toward the AIM spacecraft hovering above the stand at right. ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Flight simulation No. 3 is on the schedule for the Pegasus XL launch vehicle, seen here in Building 1555 on North Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. AIM, which stands for Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, is being prepared for integrated testing and a flight simulation. The AIM spacecraft will fly three instruments designed to study polar mesospheric clouds located at the edge of space, 50 miles above the Earth's surface in the coldest part of the planet's atmosphere. The mission's primary goal is to explain why these clouds form and what has caused them to become brighter and more numerous and appear at lower latitudes in recent years. AIM's results will provide the basis for the study of long-term variability in the mesospheric climate and its relationship to global climate change. AIM is scheduled to be mated to its launch vehicle, Orbital Sciences' Pegasus XL, during the second week of April, after which final inspections will be conducted. Launch is scheduled for April 25. KSC-07pd0775

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Flight simulation No. 3 is on the sche...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Flight simulation No. 3 is on the schedule for the Pegasus XL launch vehicle, seen here in Building 1555 on North Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. AIM, which stands for ... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Building 1555 on North Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians lower the AIM spacecraft onto a moveable stand. AIM, which stands for Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, is being prepared for integrated testing and a flight simulation. The AIM spacecraft will fly three instruments designed to study polar mesospheric clouds located at the edge of space, 50 miles above the Earth's surface in the coldest part of the planet's atmosphere. The mission's primary goal is to explain why these clouds form and what has caused them to become brighter and more numerous and appear at lower latitudes in recent years. AIM's results will provide the basis for the study of long-term variability in the mesospheric climate and its relationship to global climate change. AIM is scheduled to be mated to its launch vehicle, Orbital Sciences' Pegasus XL, during the second week of April, after which final inspections will be conducted. Launch is scheduled for April 25. KSC-07pd0789

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Building 1555 on North Vandenberg ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In Building 1555 on North Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians lower the AIM spacecraft onto a moveable stand. AIM, which stands for Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesos... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At North Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the AIM spacecraft is moved into a clean room for testing. AIM, which stands for Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, is being prepared for integrated testing and a flight simulation. The AIM spacecraft will fly three instruments designed to study polar mesospheric clouds located at the edge of space, 50 miles above the Earth's surface in the coldest part of the planet's atmosphere. The mission's primary goal is to explain why these clouds form and what has caused them to become brighter and more numerous and appear at lower latitudes in recent years. AIM's results will provide the basis for the study of long-term variability in the mesospheric climate and its relationship to global climate change. AIM is scheduled to be mated to its launch vehicle, Orbital Sciences' Pegasus XL, during the second week of April, after which final inspections will be conducted. Launch is scheduled for April 25. KSC-07pd0794

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At North Vandenberg Air Force Base in ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At North Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the AIM spacecraft is moved into a clean room for testing. AIM, which stands for Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, is being pr... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At North Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the AIM spacecraft has been rotated to horizontal prior to its move to the clean room for testing. AIM, which stands for Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, is being prepared for integrated testing and a flight simulation. The AIM spacecraft will fly three instruments designed to study polar mesospheric clouds located at the edge of space, 50 miles above the Earth's surface in the coldest part of the planet's atmosphere. The mission's primary goal is to explain why these clouds form and what has caused them to become brighter and more numerous and appear at lower latitudes in recent years. AIM's results will provide the basis for the study of long-term variability in the mesospheric climate and its relationship to global climate change. AIM is scheduled to be mated to its launch vehicle, Orbital Sciences' Pegasus XL, during the second week of April, after which final inspections will be conducted. Launch is scheduled for April 25. KSC-07pd0792

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At North Vandenberg Air Force Base in ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At North Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the AIM spacecraft has been rotated to horizontal prior to its move to the clean room for testing. AIM, which stands for Aeronom... More

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At North Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the AIM spacecraft is prepared for its move to the clean room for testing. AIM, which stands for Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, is being prepared for integrated testing and a flight simulation. The AIM spacecraft will fly three instruments designed to study polar mesospheric clouds located at the edge of space, 50 miles above the Earth's surface in the coldest part of the planet's atmosphere. The mission's primary goal is to explain why these clouds form and what has caused them to become brighter and more numerous and appear at lower latitudes in recent years. AIM's results will provide the basis for the study of long-term variability in the mesospheric climate and its relationship to global climate change. AIM is scheduled to be mated to its launch vehicle, Orbital Sciences' Pegasus XL, during the second week of April, after which final inspections will be conducted. Launch is scheduled for April 25. KSC-07pd0793

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At North Vandenberg Air Force Base in ...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At North Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the AIM spacecraft is prepared for its move to the clean room for testing. AIM, which stands for Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosph... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences Corp. workers uncrate the fillet (the wings of the Pegasus XL launch vehicle) for inspection. The Pegasus rocket is being processed to launch the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) into space. After the rocket and spacecraft are processed at Vandenberg, they will be flown on the Orbital Sciences' L-1011 carrier aircraft to the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site located at the Pacific Ocean’s Kwajalein Atoll for launch. The high-energy X-ray telescope will conduct a census for black holes, map radioactive material in young supernovae remnants, and study the origins of cosmic rays and the extreme physics around collapsed stars. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2011-4554

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences Corp. workers uncrate the fillet (the wings of the Pegasus XL launch vehicle) for inspection. The Pegasus rocket... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences Corp. workers uncrate the fillet (the wings of the Pegasus XL launch vehicle) for inspection. The Pegasus rocket is being processed to launch the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) into space. After the rocket and spacecraft are processed at Vandenberg, they will be flown on the Orbital Sciences' L-1011 carrier aircraft to the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site located at the Pacific Ocean’s Kwajalein Atoll for launch. The high-energy X-ray telescope will conduct a census for black holes, map radioactive material in young supernovae remnants, and study the origins of cosmic rays and the extreme physics around collapsed stars. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2011-4553

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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences Corp. workers uncrate the fillet (the wings of the Pegasus XL launch vehicle) for inspection. The Pegasus rocket... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The wing of the Pegasus XL launch vehicle awaits processing in a clean room at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The Orbital Sciences Corp. Pegasus rocket will launch the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) into space. After the rocket and spacecraft are processed at Vandenberg, they will be flown on the Orbital Sciences' L-1011 carrier aircraft to the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site at the Pacific Ocean’s Kwajalein Atoll for launch. The high-energy X-ray telescope will conduct a census for black holes, map radioactive material in young supernovae remnants, and study the origins of cosmic rays and the extreme physics around collapsed stars. For more information, visit science.nasa.gov/missions/nustar/. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2011-5942

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The wing of the Pegasus XL launch...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The wing of the Pegasus XL launch vehicle awaits processing in a clean room at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The Orbital Sciences Corp. Pegasus rocket will launc... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In a clean room at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians perform a fillet and wing fit check on the Pegasus XL launch vehicle. The Orbital Sciences Corp. Pegasus rocket will launch the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) into space. After the rocket and spacecraft are processed at Vandenberg, they will be flown on the Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 carrier aircraft to the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site at the Pacific Ocean’s Kwajalein Atoll for launch. The high-energy X-ray telescope will conduct a census for black holes, map radioactive material in young supernovae remnants, and study the origins of cosmic rays and the extreme physics around collapsed stars. For more information, visit science.nasa.gov/missions/nustar/. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2011-6957

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In a clean room at Vandenberg Air ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In a clean room at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians perform a fillet and wing fit check on the Pegasus XL launch vehicle. The Orbital Sciences Corp. Pegas... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In a clean room at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians perform a fillet and wing fit check on the Pegasus XL launch vehicle. The Orbital Sciences Corp. Pegasus rocket will launch the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) into space. After the rocket and spacecraft are processed at Vandenberg, they will be flown on the Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 carrier aircraft to the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site at the Pacific Ocean’s Kwajalein Atoll for launch. The high-energy X-ray telescope will conduct a census for black holes, map radioactive material in young supernovae remnants, and study the origins of cosmic rays and the extreme physics around collapsed stars. For more information, visit science.nasa.gov/missions/nustar/. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2011-6956

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In a clean room at Vandenberg Air ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In a clean room at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians perform a fillet and wing fit check on the Pegasus XL launch vehicle. The Orbital Sciences Corp. Pegas... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In a clean room at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians prepare to do a fillet and wing fit check on the Pegasus XL launch vehicle. The Orbital Sciences Corp. Pegasus rocket will launch the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) into space. After the rocket and spacecraft are processed at Vandenberg, they will be flown on the Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 carrier aircraft to the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site at the Pacific Ocean’s Kwajalein Atoll for launch. The high-energy X-ray telescope will conduct a census for black holes, map radioactive material in young supernovae remnants, and study the origins of cosmic rays and the extreme physics around collapsed stars. For more information, visit science.nasa.gov/missions/nustar/. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2011-6952

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In a clean room at Vandenberg Air ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In a clean room at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians prepare to do a fillet and wing fit check on the Pegasus XL launch vehicle. The Orbital Sciences Corp.... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In a clean room at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Pegasus XL launch vehicle awaits a fillet and wing fit check. The Orbital Sciences Corp. Pegasus rocket will launch the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) into space. After the rocket and spacecraft are processed at Vandenberg, they will be flown on the Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 carrier aircraft to the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site at the Pacific Ocean’s Kwajalein Atoll for launch. The high-energy X-ray telescope will conduct a census for black holes, map radioactive material in young supernovae remnants, and study the origins of cosmic rays and the extreme physics around collapsed stars. For more information, visit science.nasa.gov/missions/nustar/. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2011-6953

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In a clean room at Vandenberg Air ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In a clean room at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Pegasus XL launch vehicle awaits a fillet and wing fit check. The Orbital Sciences Corp. Pegasus rocket will l... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In a clean room at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians prepare to do a fillet and wing fit check on the Pegasus XL launch vehicle. The Orbital Sciences Corp. Pegasus rocket will launch the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) into space. After the rocket and spacecraft are processed at Vandenberg, they will be flown on the Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 carrier aircraft to the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site at the Pacific Ocean’s Kwajalein Atoll for launch. The high-energy X-ray telescope will conduct a census for black holes, map radioactive material in young supernovae remnants, and study the origins of cosmic rays and the extreme physics around collapsed stars. For more information, visit science.nasa.gov/missions/nustar/. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2011-6954

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In a clean room at Vandenberg Air ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In a clean room at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians prepare to do a fillet and wing fit check on the Pegasus XL launch vehicle. The Orbital Sciences Corp.... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In a clean room at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians complete a second fillet and wing fit check on the Pegasus XL launch vehicle. The Orbital Sciences Corp. Pegasus rocket will launch the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) into space. After the rocket and spacecraft are processed at Vandenberg, they will be flown on the Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 carrier aircraft to the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site at the Pacific Ocean’s Kwajalein Atoll for launch. The high-energy X-ray telescope will conduct a census for black holes, map radioactive material in young supernovae remnants, and study the origins of cosmic rays and the extreme physics around collapsed stars. For more information, visit science.nasa.gov/missions/nustar/. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2011-7033

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In a clean room at Vandenberg Air ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In a clean room at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians complete a second fillet and wing fit check on the Pegasus XL launch vehicle. The Orbital Sciences Cor... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In a clean room at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians prepare to complete a second fillet and wing fit check on the Pegasus XL launch vehicle. The Orbital Sciences Corp. Pegasus rocket will launch the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) into space. After the rocket and spacecraft are processed at Vandenberg, they will be flown on the Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 carrier aircraft to the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site at the Pacific Ocean’s Kwajalein Atoll for launch. The high-energy X-ray telescope will conduct a census for black holes, map radioactive material in young supernovae remnants, and study the origins of cosmic rays and the extreme physics around collapsed stars. For more information, visit science.nasa.gov/missions/nustar/. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2011-7029

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In a clean room at Vandenberg Air ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In a clean room at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians prepare to complete a second fillet and wing fit check on the Pegasus XL launch vehicle. The Orbital S... More

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In a clean room at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians complete a second fillet and wing fit check on the Pegasus XL launch vehicle. The Orbital Sciences Corp. Pegasus rocket will launch the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) into space. After the rocket and spacecraft are processed at Vandenberg, they will be flown on the Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 carrier aircraft to the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site at the Pacific Ocean’s Kwajalein Atoll for launch. The high-energy X-ray telescope will conduct a census for black holes, map radioactive material in young supernovae remnants, and study the origins of cosmic rays and the extreme physics around collapsed stars. For more information, visit science.nasa.gov/missions/nustar/. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB KSC-2011-7031

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In a clean room at Vandenberg Air ...

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In a clean room at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians complete a second fillet and wing fit check on the Pegasus XL launch vehicle. The Orbital Sciences Cor... More

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – A truck carrying all three stages of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket arrives at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. NASA’s Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph, or IRIS, spacecraft will launch aboard the Pegasus XL in late 2012. IRIS will open a new window of discovery by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the chromospheres and transition region into the sun’s corona using spectrometry and imaging. IRIS fills a crucial gap in our ability to advance studies of the sun-to-Earth connection by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the foundation of the corona and heliosphere, or region around the sun. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-2012-2820

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – A truck carrying all three stages ...

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – A truck carrying all three stages of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket arrives at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. NASA’s Interface Region Imaging Spectrogra... More

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – A truck carrying all three stages of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket arrives at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. NASA’s Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph, or IRIS, spacecraft will launch aboard the Pegasus XL in late 2012. IRIS will open a new window of discovery by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the chromospheres and transition region into the sun’s corona using spectrometry and imaging. IRIS fills a crucial gap in our ability to advance studies of the sun-to-Earth connection by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the foundation of the corona and heliosphere, or region around the sun. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-2012-2826

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – A truck carrying all three stages ...

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – A truck carrying all three stages of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket arrives at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. NASA’s Interface Region Imaging Spectrogr... More

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians prepare to offload the first stage of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket from the truck in which it was transported. NASA’s Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph, or IRIS, spacecraft will launch aboard the Pegasus XL in late 2012. IRIS will open a new window of discovery by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the chromospheres and transition region into the sun’s corona using spectrometry and imaging. IRIS fills a crucial gap in our ability to advance studies of the sun-to-Earth connection by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the foundation of the corona and heliosphere, or region around the sun. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-2012-2827

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in Ca...

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians prepare to offload the first stage of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket from the truck in which it was transporte... More

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a hangar at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians offload the second stage of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket from the truck in which it was transported. NASA’s Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph, or IRIS, spacecraft will launch aboard the Pegasus XL in late 2012. IRIS will open a new window of discovery by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the chromospheres and transition region into the sun’s corona using spectrometry and imaging. IRIS fills a crucial gap in our ability to advance studies of the sun-to-Earth connection by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the foundation of the corona and heliosphere, or region around the sun. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-2012-2824

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a hangar at Vandenberg Air ...

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a hangar at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians offload the second stage of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket from the truck in which it was tran... More

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a hangar at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians prepare to offload the third stage of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket from the truck in which it was transported. NASA’s Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph, or IRIS, spacecraft will launch aboard the Pegasus XL in late 2012. IRIS will open a new window of discovery by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the chromospheres and transition region into the sun’s corona using spectrometry and imaging. IRIS fills a crucial gap in our ability to advance studies of the sun-to-Earth connection by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the foundation of the corona and heliosphere, or region around the sun. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-2012-2822

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a hangar at Vandenberg Air ...

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a hangar at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians prepare to offload the third stage of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket from the truck in which i... More

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians offload the first stage of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket from the truck in which it was transported. NASA’s Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph, or IRIS, spacecraft will launch aboard the Pegasus XL in late 2012. IRIS will open a new window of discovery by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the chromospheres and transition region into the sun’s corona using spectrometry and imaging. IRIS fills a crucial gap in our ability to advance studies of the sun-to-Earth connection by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the foundation of the corona and heliosphere, or region around the sun. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-2012-2830

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in Ca...

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians offload the first stage of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket from the truck in which it was transported. NAS... More

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians prepare to offload the first stage of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket from the truck in which it was transported. NASA’s Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph, or IRIS, spacecraft will launch aboard the Pegasus XL in late 2012. IRIS will open a new window of discovery by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the chromospheres and transition region into the sun’s corona using spectrometry and imaging. IRIS fills a crucial gap in our ability to advance studies of the sun-to-Earth connection by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the foundation of the corona and heliosphere, or region around the sun. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-2012-2829

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in Ca...

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians prepare to offload the first stage of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket from the truck in which it was transporte... More

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a hangar at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians prepare to offload the third stage of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket from the truck in which it was transported. NASA’s Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph, or IRIS, spacecraft will launch aboard the Pegasus XL in late 2012. IRIS will open a new window of discovery by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the chromospheres and transition region into the sun’s corona using spectrometry and imaging. IRIS fills a crucial gap in our ability to advance studies of the sun-to-Earth connection by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the foundation of the corona and heliosphere, or region around the sun. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-2012-2823

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a hangar at Vandenberg Air ...

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a hangar at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians prepare to offload the third stage of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket from the truck in which i... More

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians offload the first stage of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket from the truck in which it was transported. NASA’s Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph, or IRIS, spacecraft will launch aboard the Pegasus XL in late 2012. IRIS will open a new window of discovery by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the chromospheres and transition region into the sun’s corona using spectrometry and imaging. IRIS fills a crucial gap in our ability to advance studies of the sun-to-Earth connection by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the foundation of the corona and heliosphere, or region around the sun. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-2012-2831

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in Ca...

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians offload the first stage of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket from the truck in which it was transported. NAS... More

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a hangar at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians offload the second stage of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket from the truck in which it was transported. NASA’s Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph, or IRIS, spacecraft will launch aboard the Pegasus XL in late 2012. IRIS will open a new window of discovery by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the chromospheres and transition region into the sun’s corona using spectrometry and imaging. IRIS fills a crucial gap in our ability to advance studies of the sun-to-Earth connection by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the foundation of the corona and heliosphere, or region around the sun. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-2012-2825

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a hangar at Vandenberg Air ...

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a hangar at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians offload the second stage of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket from the truck in which it was tran... More

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians prepare to offload the first stage of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket from the truck in which it was transported. NASA’s Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph, or IRIS, spacecraft will launch aboard the Pegasus XL in late 2012. IRIS will open a new window of discovery by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the chromospheres and transition region into the sun’s corona using spectrometry and imaging. IRIS fills a crucial gap in our ability to advance studies of the sun-to-Earth connection by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the foundation of the corona and heliosphere, or region around the sun. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-2012-2828

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in Ca...

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians prepare to offload the first stage of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket from the truck in which it was transporte... More

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – A truck carrying the third stage of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket arrives at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. NASA’s Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph, or IRIS, spacecraft will launch aboard the Pegasus XL in late 2012. IRIS will open a new window of discovery by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the chromospheres and transition region into the sun’s corona using spectrometry and imaging. IRIS fills a crucial gap in our ability to advance studies of the sun-to-Earth connection by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the foundation of the corona and heliosphere, or region around the sun. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-2012-2821

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – A truck carrying the third stage o...

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – A truck carrying the third stage of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket arrives at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. NASA’s Interface Region Imaging Spectrogra... More

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians assist as a crane lowers the wing closer for a fit check with the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL launch vehicle. NASA’s Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph, or IRIS, spacecraft will launch aboard the Pegasus XL in late 2012. IRIS will open a new window of discovery by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the chromospheres and transition region into the sun’s corona using spectrometry and imaging. IRIS fills a crucial gap in our ability to advance studies of the sun-to-Earth connection by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the foundation of the corona and heliosphere, or region around the sun. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-2012-4677

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a processing facility at Va...

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians assist as a crane lowers the wing closer for a fit check with the Orbital Sciences Pegasu... More

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians prepare the wing for a fit check with the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL launch vehicle. NASA’s Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph, or IRIS, spacecraft will launch aboard the Pegasus XL in late 2012. IRIS will open a new window of discovery by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the chromospheres and transition region into the sun’s corona using spectrometry and imaging. IRIS fills a crucial gap in our ability to advance studies of the sun-to-Earth connection by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the foundation of the corona and heliosphere, or region around the sun. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-2012-4671

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a processing facility at Va...

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians prepare the wing for a fit check with the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL launch vehicle. ... More

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians prepare the wing for a fit check with the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL launch vehicle. NASA’s Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph, or IRIS, spacecraft will launch aboard the Pegasus XL in late 2012. IRIS will open a new window of discovery by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the chromospheres and transition region into the sun’s corona using spectrometry and imaging. IRIS fills a crucial gap in our ability to advance studies of the sun-to-Earth connection by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the foundation of the corona and heliosphere, or region around the sun. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-2012-4670

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a processing facility at Va...

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians prepare the wing for a fit check with the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL launch vehicle. ... More

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians assist as a crane moves the wing closer for a fit check with the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL launch vehicle. NASA’s Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph, or IRIS, spacecraft will launch aboard the Pegasus XL in late 2012. IRIS will open a new window of discovery by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the chromospheres and transition region into the sun’s corona using spectrometry and imaging. IRIS fills a crucial gap in our ability to advance studies of the sun-to-Earth connection by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the foundation of the corona and heliosphere, or region around the sun. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-2012-4674

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a processing facility at Va...

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians assist as a crane moves the wing closer for a fit check with the Orbital Sciences Pegasus... More

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians assist as a crane moves the wing closer for a fit check with the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL launch vehicle. NASA’s Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph, or IRIS, spacecraft will launch aboard the Pegasus XL in late 2012. IRIS will open a new window of discovery by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the chromospheres and transition region into the sun’s corona using spectrometry and imaging. IRIS fills a crucial gap in our ability to advance studies of the sun-to-Earth connection by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the foundation of the corona and heliosphere, or region around the sun. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-2012-4673

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a processing facility at Va...

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians assist as a crane moves the wing closer for a fit check with the Orbital Sciences Pegasus... More

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians assist as a crane lowers the wing closer for a fit check with the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL launch vehicle. NASA’s Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph, or IRIS, spacecraft will launch aboard the Pegasus XL in late 2012. IRIS will open a new window of discovery by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the chromospheres and transition region into the sun’s corona using spectrometry and imaging. IRIS fills a crucial gap in our ability to advance studies of the sun-to-Earth connection by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the foundation of the corona and heliosphere, or region around the sun. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-2012-4675

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a processing facility at Va...

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians assist as a crane lowers the wing closer for a fit check with the Orbital Sciences Pegasu... More

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians assist as a crane lowers the wing closer for a fit check with the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL launch vehicle. NASA’s Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph, or IRIS, spacecraft will launch aboard the Pegasus XL in late 2012. IRIS will open a new window of discovery by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the chromospheres and transition region into the sun’s corona using spectrometry and imaging. IRIS fills a crucial gap in our ability to advance studies of the sun-to-Earth connection by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the foundation of the corona and heliosphere, or region around the sun. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-2012-4676

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a processing facility at Va...

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians assist as a crane lowers the wing closer for a fit check with the Orbital Sciences Pegasu... More

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians assist as a crane moves the wing closer for a fit check with the Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL launch vehicle. NASA’s Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph, or IRIS, spacecraft will launch aboard the Pegasus XL in late 2012. IRIS will open a new window of discovery by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the chromospheres and transition region into the sun’s corona using spectrometry and imaging. IRIS fills a crucial gap in our ability to advance studies of the sun-to-Earth connection by tracing the flow of energy and plasma through the foundation of the corona and heliosphere, or region around the sun. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin KSC-2012-4672

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a processing facility at Va...

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – Inside a processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians assist as a crane moves the wing closer for a fit check with the Orbital Sciences Pegasus... More

Pegasus XL CYGNSS Prepared for Launch Aboard Orbital ATK's L-101

Pegasus XL CYGNSS Prepared for Launch Aboard Orbital ATK's L-101

At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Skid Strip the Orbital ATK L-1011 Stargazer aircraft is being prepared to launch NASA's Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System, or CYGNSS, spacecraft. The eight micro s... More

Pegasus XL CYGNSS Prepared for Launch Aboard Orbital ATK's L-101

Pegasus XL CYGNSS Prepared for Launch Aboard Orbital ATK's L-101

At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Skid Strip the Orbital ATK L-1011 Stargazer aircraft is being prepared to launch NASA's Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System, or CYGNSS, spacecraft. The eight micro s... More

Pegasus XL CYGNSS Prepared for Launch Aboard Orbital ATK's L-101

Pegasus XL CYGNSS Prepared for Launch Aboard Orbital ATK's L-101

At Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Skid Strip the Orbital ATK L-1011 Stargazer aircraft is being prepared to launch NASA's Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System, or CYGNSS, spacecraft. The eight micro s... More

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