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| | Spacecraft: Dawn
Launch Vehicle: Delta II
Launch Location: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
Launch Pad: Space Launch Complex 17-B
Launch Date: September 27, 2007
Launch Time: 7:34 a.m. EDT
Dawn Roars off the Pad
Image above: Dawn takes flight on its journey to the asteroid belt. Photo credit: NASA
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A Delta II-Heavy propelled the Dawn spacecraft into space on its 4-year flight to the asteroid belt. The Delta II was designed to boost medium-sized satellites and robotic explorers into space.
The Delta II-Heavy used for Dawn is the strongest rocket in the Delta II class. It took three stages and nine solid-fueled booster rockets to propel Dawn on its way. A 9.5-foot payload fairing protected the spacecraft from the heat and stresses of launch. It fell away from the spacecraft after the rocket reached the upper levels of the atmosphere.
Additional links:
+ Watch a Launch
+ Launch Locations
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