At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California is surrounded by protective sheathing in VAFB's payload processing facility.

At Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, one half of the fairing that will envelop NASA's Glory satellite is surrounded by protective sheathing in VAFB's payload processing facility. Both halves of the fairing will be installed around the spacecraft to protect it from the weather on the ground as well as from the atmosphere during flight.

A four-stage Taurus XL rocket will carry Glory into low Earth orbit. Once Glory reaches orbit, it will collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Launch is scheduled for 2:09 a.m. PST Nov. 22. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB