The first stage of a Delta II rocket is raised to vertical before it can be moved into the mobile service tower for processing.

On Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Launch Complex 17-B in Florida, the first stage of a Delta II rocket is raised to vertical before it can be moved into the mobile service tower for processing. The rocket is the launch vehicle for the STSS Demonstrators Program. STSS Demonstrators Program is a midcourse tracking technology demonstrator and is part of an evolving ballistic missile defense system. STSS is capable of tracking objects after boost phase and provides trajectory information to other sensors. It will be launched by NASA for the Missile Defense Agency on July 29. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller