A worker in the high bay at Astrotech Space Operations places a lower panel of the transportation canister around the THEMIS spacecraft.

A worker in the high bay at Astrotech Space Operations places a lower panel of the transportation canister around the THEMIS spacecraft and upper stage booster. When THEMIS is completely enclosed, it will be transported to Launch Complex 17-B for mating with its launch vehicle. THEMIS consists of five identical probes, the largest number of scientific satellites ever launched into orbit aboard a single rocket. This unique constellation of satellites will resolve the tantalizing mystery of what causes the spectacular sudden brightening of the aurora borealis and aurora australis - the fiery skies over the Earth's northern and southern polar regions. THEMIS is scheduled to launch Feb. 15 from Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket managed by the United Launch Alliance. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder