Delta II launch successful Published Sept. 11, 2008 By 030908 VANDENBERG AFB, Calif. -- Vandenberg AFB successfully launched a Delta II rocket from Space Launch Complex-2 at 11:51 a.m. today. The rocket carried the GeoEye-1 Satellite into a circular Sun-synchronous orbit where the satellite will begin its mission of collecting multispectral or color images of the Earth for both government and commercial organizations. Col. David J. Buck, 30th Space Wing commander, was the spacelift commander for this mission. "This launch is a testament to the tremendous team effort between the Team Vandenberg and our industry partners," Colonel Buck said. "We have one opportunity to be successful with each launch, 100 percent mission success and perfection is our standard." The Delta II is an expendable launch, medium-lift vehicle. It carries civil and commercial payloads into low-earth, polar, geosynchronous transfer and stationary orbits. Vandenberg is commemorating 50 years of Space Power. For half a century, Vandenberg has proudly worked with its industry partners to grant America assured access to space.