The latest Earth-observing satellite developed by NASA, called Glory, arrives at the Astrotech Payload Processing Facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California by tractor-trailer. An Orbital Sciences Taurus XL rocket is targeted to launch Glory into low Earth orbit Feb. 23 from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E.
Once in orbit, Glory 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. Photo credit: NASA/Ed Henry, VAFB