KSC-2011-1443

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- At Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, NASA's Glory spacecraft, integrated with the upper stack of the Taurus rocket, displays mission decals including one in remembrance of Dave Breedlove who was a mission manager and long-time member of the Launch Services Program team. The vehicle is dedicated to his memory. The Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL rocket will launch Glory into low Earth orbit. 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