05-01-2006, 09:45 AM
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, California (AP) -- After a series of delays, a pair of NASA satellites blasted off early Friday on a mission to study how clouds affect weather and climate.
A Boeing Delta II rocket carrying the CloudSat and Calipso satellites launched from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in central California shortly after 3 a.m. (6 a.m. ET).
Once in orbit, the satellites will join the "A-Train" constellation -- a trio of environmental spacecraft already surveying the Earth's atmosphere.
The "A-Train" includes NASA's Aqua and Aura satellites and a French spacecraft.
Unlike previous atmospheric research satellites, CloudSat and Calipso are equipped with advanced instruments that can view clouds in 3-D. Scientists hope the enhanced view will aid them in understanding how clouds and airborne particles known as aerosols influence weather and climate changes and affect air quality.
The successful launch Friday came after a week of delays blamed on communication failure and bad weather.
The satellites were supposed to fly last year, but technical difficulties and a strike by Boeing workers keep them grounded.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/space/04/28...index.html
A Boeing Delta II rocket carrying the CloudSat and Calipso satellites launched from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in central California shortly after 3 a.m. (6 a.m. ET).
Once in orbit, the satellites will join the "A-Train" constellation -- a trio of environmental spacecraft already surveying the Earth's atmosphere.
The "A-Train" includes NASA's Aqua and Aura satellites and a French spacecraft.
Unlike previous atmospheric research satellites, CloudSat and Calipso are equipped with advanced instruments that can view clouds in 3-D. Scientists hope the enhanced view will aid them in understanding how clouds and airborne particles known as aerosols influence weather and climate changes and affect air quality.
The successful launch Friday came after a week of delays blamed on communication failure and bad weather.
The satellites were supposed to fly last year, but technical difficulties and a strike by Boeing workers keep them grounded.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/space/04/28...index.html