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NASA FACT?

The Delta family of rockets was derived from the Thor intermediate ballistic missile.


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Liftoff!Launch of a Delta II rocket.
+ NASA Home > Mission Sections > Dawn > Launch

  LAUNCH COVERAGE
 
 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
The Dawn mission began with a brilliant launch soon after sunrise.
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


 
  COUNTDOWN 
 
 Launch Control Center
Review the exciting countdown milestones and videos from the Dawn launch.
+ Launch Blog
+ Launch Team

 


  RELATED MULTIMEDIA 
 
 Liftoff of the Delta II Heavy rocket.
Dawn's Mission Begins
See how the Dawn spacecraft and Delta II rocket were readied for launch.
+ All Launch Day Videos
+ Launch Photos
+ View Liftoff Video
 
 Technicians ready the Dawn spacecraft for launch.
Delta Ready for Dawn
Take look at some of the steps that go into processing the Dawn spacecraft and its Delta II rocket for launch.
+ View Video
+ Download Podcast
+ Processing Photo Gallery
 
 Rocket Science 101
Rocket Science 101
+ Build a Rocket
 
 Launch Services
Launch Services
Why launch anything into space?
+ View Video
 


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Editor: Jeanne Ryba
NASA Official: Brian Dunbar
Last Updated: November 5, 2007
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