
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Hazardous Processing Facility at Astrotech Space Operations, technicians prepare THEMIS probes for solar array illumination telemetry tests. THEMIS consists of five identical probes, the largest number of scientific satellites ever launched into orbit aboard a single rocket. This unique constellation of satellites will resolve the tantalizing mystery of what causes the spectacular sudden brightening of the aurora borealis and aurora australis - the fiery skies over the Earth's northern and southern polar regions. THEMIS is scheduled to launch aboard the Delta II at 6:07 p.m. EST on Feb. 15. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton
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NASA ID
KSC-07pd0031
Date Created
January 8, 2007
Center
KSC
Media Type
image
Location
Kennedy Space Center, FL
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