VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Stage 0 motor for the Taurus XL launch vehicle is readied for its move into Orbital Sciences' Hangar 1555. The motor will help lift NASA's Glory satellite into low Earth orbit. Glory is scheduled to launch in November from Vandenberg's Launch Pad SLC 576-E. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA_Randy Beaudoin, VAFB

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In a processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the three stages of the Pegasus XL launch vehicle are seen immediately prior to installation of the vehicle’s wing. 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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In a processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians monitor the progress as the wing is lowered for final installation 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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In a processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the three stages of the Pegasus XL launch vehicle are seen immediately prior to installation of the vehicle’s wing. 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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Aquarius_SAC-D spacecraft is secured to the Rotation and Test Fixture in cell 3 at the Spaceport Systems International payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. There, the spacecraft will undergo inspection of its solar arrays and tests will be conducted on its propulsion subsystem. Further testing of the satellites various other systems will follow. Following final tests, the spacecraft will be integrated to a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket in preparation for the targeted June launch. Aquarius, the NASA-built primary instrument on the SAC-D spacecraft, will map global changes in salinity at the ocean's surface. The three-year mission will provide new insights into how variations in ocean surface salinity relate to these fundamental climate processes. Photo credit: NASA_Randy Beaudoin, VAFB

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In a processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians monitor the progress as the wing is lowered for final installation 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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Stage 0 motor for the Taurus XL launch vehicle arrives at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The motor will help carry NASA's Glory satellite into low Earth orbit. Glory is scheduled to launch in November from Vandenberg's Launch Pad SLC 576-E. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA_Randy Beaudoin, VAFB

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Stage 0 motor for the Taurus XL launch vehicle is revealed. The motor will help carry NASA's Glory satellite into low Earth orbit. Glory is scheduled to launch in November from Vandenberg's Launch Pad SLC 576-E. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA_Randy Beaudoin, VAFB

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a crane lifts the Stage 0 motor for the Taurus XL launch vehicle for its move into Orbital Sciences' Hangar 1555. The motor will help carry NASA's Glory satellite into low Earth orbit. Glory is scheduled to launch in November from Vandenberg's Launch Pad SLC 576-E. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA_Randy Beaudoin, VAFB

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Stage 0 motor for the Taurus XL launch vehicle is prepared for transportation into Orbital Sciences' Hangar 1555. The motor will help carry NASA's Glory satellite into low Earth orbit. Glory is scheduled to launch in November from Vandenberg's Launch Pad SLC 576-E. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA_Randy Beaudoin, VAFB

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In a processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a technician helps guide a crane away after final wing installation 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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers remove the shipping canvas off the Stage 0 motor for the Taurus XL launch vehicle. The motor will help carry NASA's Glory satellite into low Earth orbit. Glory is scheduled to launch in November from Vandenberg's Launch Pad SLC 576-E. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA_Randy Beaudoin, VAFB

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In a processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians help guide the wing for final installation 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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Stage 0 motor, foreground, soon will be installed to the interstage, background. The two segments, along with two other stages, will make up the four-stage Taurus XL rocket that will carry NASA's Glory satellite into low Earth orbit. Glory is scheduled to launch in November from Vandenberg's Launch Pad SLC 576-E. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA_Randy Beaudoin, VAFB

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In a processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the three stages of the Pegasus XL launch vehicle are seen immediately prior to installation of the vehicle’s wing. 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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In a processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians complete final installation of the wing 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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Stage 0 motor for the Taurus XL launch vehicle is moved into Orbital Sciences' Hangar 1555. The motor will help lift NASA's Glory satellite into low Earth orbit. Glory is scheduled to launch in November from Vandenberg's Launch Pad SLC 576-E. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA_Randy Beaudoin, VAFB

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In a processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the three stages of the Pegasus XL launch vehicle are seen immediately prior to installation of the vehicle’s wing. 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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In a processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the wing is lowered onto the Pegasus XL launch vehicle for final installation. 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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In a processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians complete final installation of the wing 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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In a processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the three stages of the Pegasus XL launch vehicle are seen immediately prior to installation of the vehicle’s wing. 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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- In a processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians prepare the wing for final installation 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

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a crane lowers the Stage 0 motor for the Taurus XL launch vehicle to the ground for its move into Orbital Sciences' Hangar 1555. The motor will help carry NASA's Glory satellite into low Earth orbit. Glory is scheduled to launch in November from Vandenberg's Launch Pad SLC 576-E. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA_Randy Beaudoin, VAFB