Aug. 12, 2003

Bruce Buckingham
Kennedy Space Center 
321-867-2468

RELEASE: 69-03

SCISAT LAUNCHED SUCCESSFULLY ON PEGASUS XL

The launch of the Canadian Space Agency's SCISAT-1 (Scientific 
Satellite Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment) aboard an Orbital 
Sciences Pegasus XL vehicle occurred on time from Vandenberg Air 
Force Base, Calif., at 10:09.33 p.m. EDT.

The 330-pound SCISAT-1 spacecraft was placed into a 400-mile-high 
polar orbit at an inclination of 73.9 degrees following spacecraft 
separation which occurred 10 minutes, 38 seconds after deployment 
from the L-1011.

The SCISAT-1 spacecraft will investigate processes that control the 
distribution of ozone in the upper atmosphere. The purpose of the 
mission is to measure and understand the chemical processes that 
control the distribution of ozone in the Earth's atmosphere, 
particularly at high altitudes. The data from the satellite will 
provide Canadian and international scientists with improved 
measurements relating to global ozone processes and help policymakers 
assess existing environmental policy and develop protective measures 
for improving the health of our atmosphere, preventing further ozone 
depletion. This mission is designed to last two years. 

	
-end-