Technicians check the placement of the first half of the protective fairing that will encapsulate NASA's Glory spacecraft.

Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians check the placement of the first half of the protective fairing that will encapsulate NASA's Glory spacecraft as the second half is ready to be moved into position. Next, the spacecraft will be transported to Space Launch Complex 576-E and joined with the Taurus XL rocket's third stage.

The Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL rocket will carry Glory into low Earth orbit. Once the spacecraft 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 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Don Kososka, VAFB