The stage 0 motor left and the interstage associated with Stage 1 of the Taurus XL rocket are ready at Vandenberg Air Force Base.

The stage 0 motor, left, and the interstage associated with Stage 1 of the Taurus XL rocket are ready for more processing in the west high bay of Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. In the east high bay, right, are the first, second and third stages. The rocket and NASA's Glory satellite are being prepared for a launch to low Earth orbit from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E.

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. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin, VAFB