Technicians inch close to the crane that moved into position in order to unlatch the two pieces of machinery.

With Stage 0 of the Orbital Sciences Corp. Taurus XL in launch position on Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, technicians inch close to the crane that moved it into position in order to unlatch the two pieces of machinery. As part of the four-stage Taurus XL rocket that will carry NASA's Glory spacecraft into low Earth orbit, stages 1, 2 and 3 will join Stage 0 at the launch pad about a week later.

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 5:09 a.m. EST Feb. 23. For information, visit www.nasa.gov/glory. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB