A new NASA satellite -- Glory -- will collect data on the properties and distribution of aerosols in Earth's atmosphere and on solar irradiance. The data collected will enable scientists to draw conclusions on how the sun and tiny atmospheric particles called aerosols affect Earth's climate.

The launch, aboard an Orbital Sciences Taurus XL rocket, is scheduled for Feb. 23. Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California is targeted for 5:09:43 a.m. EST in the middle of a 48-second launch window.

Both aerosols and solar energy influence the planet's energy budget -- the amount of energy entering and exiting Earth's atmosphere. An accurate measurement of these impacts is important in order to anticipate future changes to Earth's climate and how they may affect human life.

Aerosols are tiny liquid and solid particles suspended in the atmosphere. These particles play a critical role in the climate system and are present nearly everywhere, from the upper reaches of the atmosphere to the surface air that humans breathe.

Most aerosols tend to cool Earth’s surface. Overall, scientists expect that aerosols have a net cooling impact about half the strength of the warming caused by the build-up of greenhouse gases.

But the particles are distributed very differently than greenhouse gases, primarily because the average lifetime of an aerosol particle in the atmosphere is much shorter than that of most greenhouse gases.

The Glory spacecraft uses Orbital’s LEOStar bus design, with deployable solar panels, 3-axis stabilization, and X-band/S-band RF communications capabilities. The structure consists of an octagonal aluminum space frame and a hydrazine propulsion module containing enough fuel for at least 36 months of service.

The spacecraft bus also provides payload power; command, telemetry, and science data interfaces, including onboard storage of data; and an attitude control subsystem to support instrument requirements.

The Taurus launch vehicle provides a cost-effective and reliable launch capability for satellites weighing up to 3,500 pounds (1,590 kilograms). Currently in production to support U.S. Government, international, and commercial customers, the versatility and flexibility of the Taurus family of vehicles provides the means to access space for a variety of payloads, and from a wide range of launch facilities and geographic locations.

Glory will accomplish these objectives by utilizing two separate instruments, the Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor (APS) and the Total Irradiance Monitor (TIM).

The APS will collect global aerosol data based on measurements of light reflected within the solar reflective spectral region of Earth’s atmosphere. Since clouds can have a significant impact on the quality of these measurements, an onboard cloud camera will be used to distinguish between clear and cloud filled scenes.

A three-year mission life (five-year or more goal) provides a minimum time period to observe seasonal and regional trends and characterize the evolution of aerosols during different climate events, such as El Niño and volcanic eruptions.

Developed and provided by the University of Colorado’s Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, the TIM instrument will collect high accuracy, high precision measurements of total solar irradiance (TSI), or the amount of solar radiation in the Earth’s atmosphere over a period of time. The TIM is a heritage-design instrument that was originally flown on Orbital’s SORCE satellite, launched in January 2003.

Glory satellite
NASA said its Glory mission launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California Friday at 5:09:45 a.m. EST failed to reach orbit. NASA
Tower Ready for Installation
At Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, NASA's Glory spacecraft, already integrated with the upper stack of the Taurus rocket, awaits installation of the upper umbilical tower inside a processing tent near the pad. NASA
Workers Install Tower
At Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers join the upper umbilical tower to NASA's Glory spacecraft, already integrated with the upper stack of the Taurus rocket. During liftoff this tower falls away from the spacecraft. NASA
Decals Adorn Glory
At Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, NASA's Glory spacecraft, already integrated with the upper stack of the Taurus rocket, displays the mission decals. NASA
Tower Installation
At Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers prepare the next section of the upper umbilical tower for joining to NASA's Glory spacecraft, already integrated with the upper stack of the Taurus rocket. During liftoff this tower falls away from the spacecraft. NASA
Decal Dedication
At Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, NASA's Glory spacecraft, integrated with the upper stack of the Taurus rocket, displays mission decals including one in remembrance of Dave Breedlove who was a mission manager and long-time member of the Launch Services Program team. The vehicle is dedicated to his memory. NASA
Glory Gets a Lift
On Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences workers monitor NASA's Glory upper stack as a crane lifts it from a stationary rail for attachment to the Taurus XL rocket's Stage 0. The upper stack consists of Stages 1, 2 and 3 of the Taurus as well as the encapsulated Glory spacecraft. Workers put the non-flight environmental shield over the fairing prior to assembly. A portion of the umbilical tower is attached to the upper stack, which falls away from the spacecraft during liftoff. NASA
Lifted Toward the Pad
On Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences workers monitor NASA's Glory upper stack as a crane lifts it from a stationary rail for attachment to the Taurus XL rocket's Stage 0. NASA
Lowered Into Position
On Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a crane lowers NASA's Glory upper stack toward the Taurus XL rocket's Stage 0. The upper stack consists of Stages 1, 2 and 3 of the Taurus as well as the encapsulated Glory spacecraft. NASA
Guided Into Position
On Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers guide NASA's Glory upper stack as a crane lowers it toward the Taurus XL rocket's Stage 0. The upper stack consists of Stages 1, 2 and 3 of the Taurus as well as the encapsulated Glory spacecraft. NASA
Glory Secured to Stage 0
On Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, workers in a bucket begin the process of removing the lifting fixture and sling from NASA's Glory upper stack after it was secured in place to the Taurus XL rocket's Stage 0. NASA
Glory is Vertical
On Space Launch Complex 576-E, the Taurus XL rocket is in its launch configuration. The upper stack, consisting of Stages 1, 2 and 3, as well as the encapsulated Glory spacecraft, is attached to an interstage and Stage 0 at the launch pad. The scaffolding around Stage 0 will be removed prior to next week's launch, after workers install 12 vent-door covers to the interstage. NASA
Glory Stacked on Pad
On Space Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Taurus XL rocket is in its launch configuration. The upper stack, consisting of Stages 1, 2 and 3, as well as the encapsulated Glory spacecraft, is attached to an interstage and Stage 0 at the launch pad. The umbilical tower (right) attached to the upper stack will fall away from the spacecraft during liftoff. NASA
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