Delta II launch successful

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VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFPN) --  A Delta II rocket was launched from here today at 3:02 a.m. The rocket took off from Space Launch Complex 2 carrying NASA’s Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations, or CALIPSO, and CloudSat satellites.

The rocket carries the CloudSat and CALIPSO satellites into a 438-mile circular sun-synchronous orbit. They will provide new perspectives on Earth’s clouds and aerosols, answering questions about how they form, evolve and affect water supply, climate, weather and air quality.

Col. Jack Weinstein, 30th Space Wing commander, was the spacelift commander for this mission, or final go-for-launch authority. Chuck Dovale was NASA’s launch manager, for the mission.

"This was our third launch this month and it is a testament to the tremendous team effort between NASA, the 30th Space Wing and our industry partners," Colonel Weinstein said. "We have one opportunity to be successful with each launch so 100 percent mission success is our standard."

The Delta II is an expendable launch, medium-lift vehicle. It carries civil and commercial payloads into low-earth, polar, geosynchronous transfer and stationary orbits.