NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Spacecraft: Orbiting Carbon Observatory
Launch Vehicle: Orbital Sciences Taurus Rocket →
Launch Location: Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Pad: Space Launch Complex 576-E
Launch Date: Feb. 24, 2009
Launch Time: 1:55:31 a.m. PST (4:55:30 a.m. EST)

OCO Launches, Fails to Reach Orbit

Image: A Taurus XL rocket lifts off from its launch pad at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on Feb. 24. Image credit: Courtesy of Orbital Sciences Corporation
› View Larger Image

NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory launched Feb. 24, 2009 aboard a Taurus XL rocket, departing from Launch Complex 576-E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Following the 4:55:31 a.m. EST liftoff, the launch ultimately failed and the spacecraft did not reach orbit after its protective fairing did not separate properly during ascent.

Liftoff occurred on the first attempt for the launch team and capped off a relatively smooth overnight countdown.

The four-stage Taurus XL rocket, built by Orbital Sciences Corp., is designed to place a payload weighing up to 3,000 pounds into low-Earth orbit. It is a ground-launched version of the company's air-launched Pegasus rocket.

Launch Links
› Watch a Launch
› Launch Locations