KSC01KODI045

KODIAK ISLAND, Alaska -- Technicians inspect and secure Castor 120, the first stage of the Athena 1 launch vehicle, on the launch mount at Kodiak Island, Alaska, as processing for the launch of Kodiak Star proceeds. The first orbital launch to take place from Alaska's Kodiak Launch Complex, Kodiak Star is scheduled to lift off on a Lockheed Martin Athena I launch vehicle on Sept. 17 during a two-hour window that extends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. ADT. The payloads aboard include the Starshine 3, sponsored by NASA, and the PICOSat, PCSat and Sapphire, sponsored by the Department of Defense (DoD) Space Test Program.