Taurus XL experiences anomaly Published Feb. 24, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Raymond Hoy 30th Space Wing Public Affairs VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFNS) -- Vandenberg and NASA officials said the most recent West Coast launch experienced an anomaly minutes after the 1:55 a.m. take-off of a Taurus XL rocket equipped with NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory satellite Feb. 24 from the 576th-E Space Launch Complex here. The satellite failed to reach orbit. Preliminary indications are that the fairing on the Taurus XL launch vehicle failed to separate. The fairing is a clam shell structure that encapsulates the satellite as it travels through the atmosphere. A mishap investigation board will immediately be convened to determine the cause of the launch failure. For more information, go to http://www.nasa.gov. Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) View the comments/letters page