KSC-2014-3597
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Preparations are underway in the mobile service tower at Space Launch Complex 2 on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California to install a solid rocket motor on the Delta II rocket for NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive mission, or SMAP. SMAP will be launched on a Delta II 7320 configuration vehicle featuring a United Launch Alliance first stage booster powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-27A main engine and three Alliant Techsystems, or ATK, strap-on solid rocket motors. Once on station in Earth orbit, SMAP will provide global measurements of soil moisture and its freeze/thaw state. These measurements will be used to enhance understanding of processes that link the water, energy and carbon cycles, and to extend the capabilities of weather and climate prediction models. SMAP data also will be used to quantify net carbon flux in boreal landscapes and to develop improved flood prediction and drought monitoring capabilities. Launch is scheduled for no earlier than November 2014. To learn more about SMAP, visit http://smap.jpl.nasa.gov. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin
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Details
NASA ID
KSC-2014-3597
Date Created
August 18, 2014
Center
KSC
Media Type
image
Location
Vandenberg AFB, CA
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