2004-014 |
Delta-7920 |
USA |
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| The Boeing Delta 2 rocket is fueled up during the countdown on April 19. But this first launch attempt ended in a cliffhanger three minutes before liftoff when officials ruled there wasn't sufficient time to ensuire the correct high-altitude wind data had been loaded into the rocket's guidance computer. Liftoff was scrubbed 24 hours. Credit: William G. Hartenstein | The mobile service tower is moved back around the rocket, during the 24-hour postponement. Credit: William G. Hartenstein |
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| Hoping that the second time would be the charm, the Delta 2 rocket is re-fueled for a launch attempt on April 20. Credit: William G. Hartenstein | Ignition. The Boeing rocket roars to life at 1657:24 GTM. Credit: William G. Hartenstein |
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| A camera mounted on the pad's mobile service tower provides this view of liftoff. Credit: Thom Baur/Boeing | The Gravity Probe-B spacecraft is successfully deployed from the Delta rocket's upper stage. A video camera mounted on the rocket shows the satellite with its solar arrays deployed. Credit: NASA TV/Spaceflight Now |