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Team V launches heritage Delta II rocket, image satellite
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The launch of a Boeing Delta II rocket carrying the DigitalGlobe WorldView-1 satellite at 11:35 a.m. on Sept. 18 from Space Launch Complex-2 on north Vandenberg confirmed a milestone success for Team Vandenberg.
The members of the 30th Space Wing were supporting the launch by Boeing Launch Services with associated support services from United Launch Alliance.
Col. Steve Tanous, 30th SW commander, was the spacelift commander for this launch.
"What better way to celebrate our 60 years of service to this nation than to have the opportunity to launch a payload into space," Colonel Tanous said. "The Air Force has been involved in exploring the high frontier since the beginning of the 'space age' and we will continue to turn today's science fiction into reality.
"Vandenberg has had a major role in the space and missile fields and will continue to do so for years to come," he said.
The successful launch took place on the Air Force's 60th Anniversary and made the 60-year Anniversary more special for the men and women of the 30th Space Wing.
This launch also marks the 75th consecutive successful Delta II launch from both coasts dating back to May 5, 1997.
The Delta II had nine motors strapped to its main stage, increasing its lift capability. It was expected to deploy the WorldView-1 spacecraft approximately 1 hour, 13 minutes after liftoff.
The WorldView-1 satellite will provide high-resolution images of Earth. It's capable of collecting, storing and down-linking more frequently updated imagery than any other commercial imaging satellite in orbit, according to a Boeing press release.
The launch of WorldView-1 was broadcasted live over the Internet at www.boeing.com/defense-space/space/bls/missions/worldview-1/. Boeing will also host the Web-cast replay of the launch on this page within 24 hours of the launch, according to the Boeing Web site.