VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Team Vandenberg launched the NASA InSight Mission to Mars on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-3E here, Saturday, May 5, at 4:05 a.m. PDT.
Col. Michael Hough, 30th Space Wing commander, was the space launch commander.
"This is our first interplanetary launch to Mars from Vandenberg and this launch not only garnered a lot of outside interest and attention but created many educational opportunities for the wing and our local communities," said Hough. "We appreciate NASA's enthusiasm and support that helped us all gain a better understanding of this particular mission we contributed to here at the wing. The entire launch team along with our mission partners to include United Launch Alliance, NASA and the Space and Missile Systems Center worked diligently to ensure that this launch was safe and successful."