
The first stage of Boeing's Delta 7326 rocket, which will be used to launch the Deep Space 1 spacecraft, arrives at Pad 17A at Cape Canaveral Air Station. Targeted for launch on Oct. 15, 1998, this first flight in NASA's New Millennium Program is designed to validate 12 new technologies for scientific space missions of the next century. Onboard experiments include an ion propulsion engine and software that tracks celestial bodies so the spacecraft can make its own navigation decisions without the intervention of ground controllers. Deep Space 1 will complete most of its mission objectives within the first two months but will also do a flyby of a near-Earth asteroid, 1992 KD, in July 1999
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NASA ID
KSC-98pc1050
Date Created
September 11, 1998
Center
KSC
Media Type
image
Location
Cape Canaveral, FL
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Medium
960px