KSC-2011-1180

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The payload fairing that will surround and protect NASA's Glory spacecraft during its trip to space await processing in the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Once encapsulated, Glory will be transported to Space Launch Complex 576-E where is will be joined with the third stage of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL rocket. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB