Thursday, July 15, 2004
After many delays, NASA's Aura satellite was launched into orbit, early this Thursday morning. Sent on a $785 million mission to study the Earth's atmosphere.
A two-stage Boeing Delta II rocket carrying the satellite roared off the launch pad at this Central California coastal base just before 3:02 a.m. The satellite separated from the rocket about an hour later and entered orbit 438 miles above Earth.
"Everything went well. We did get initial orbit and it seems to be right on," said Chuck Dovale, launch manager.
Four times in recent weeks, including twice in the past two days, the liftoff was cancelled due to various reasons.
The mission of this satellite is to improve understanding of how pollutants spread globally, to determine whether the stratospheric ozone layer, which blocks harmful ultraviolet radiation, is recovering from depletion by manmade chemicals, and how Earth's climate is changing as its atmosphere is altered.
The 6,542-pound satellite carries four instruments, built by Great Britain, the United States, the Netherlands and Finland.
Too bad this isn't happening in Canada. Ah well, one day we will have a space program also!! Then I will go to the moon and send you a picture!
A two-stage Boeing Delta II rocket carrying the satellite roared off the launch pad at this Central California coastal base just before 3:02 a.m. The satellite separated from the rocket about an hour later and entered orbit 438 miles above Earth.
"Everything went well. We did get initial orbit and it seems to be right on," said Chuck Dovale, launch manager.
Four times in recent weeks, including twice in the past two days, the liftoff was cancelled due to various reasons.
The mission of this satellite is to improve understanding of how pollutants spread globally, to determine whether the stratospheric ozone layer, which blocks harmful ultraviolet radiation, is recovering from depletion by manmade chemicals, and how Earth's climate is changing as its atmosphere is altered.
The 6,542-pound satellite carries four instruments, built by Great Britain, the United States, the Netherlands and Finland.
Too bad this isn't happening in Canada. Ah well, one day we will have a space program also!! Then I will go to the moon and send you a picture!