KSC-05PD-1985

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF. - In the mobile service tower, or gantry, at NASA Space Launch Complex 2 on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the two halves of the fairing are ready to encapsulate CALIPSO_CloudSat for launch. The fairing encloses and protects the spacecraft during launch and flight through the atmosphere. Once in space, it is jettisoned. CALIPSO stands for Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation. CALIPSO and CloudSat are highly complementary satellites and together will provide never-before-seen 3-D perspectives of how clouds and aerosols form, evolve, and affect weather and climate. CALIPSO and CloudSat will fly in formation with three other satellites in the A-train constellation to enhance understanding of our climate system. Launch of CALIPSO_CloudSat aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket is scheduled for 3:01 a.m. Sept. 29.