NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Spacecraft: ST5 Experimental Satellites
Launch Vehicle: Orbital Sciences Pegasus Rocket
Launch Location: Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
Launch Platform: L-1011 Carrier Jet
Launch Date: March 22, 2006
Launch Time: 9:03:45 a.m. EST

Image above: The Pegasus rocket carrying ST5 drops away from the L-1011 carrier aircraft known as "Stargazer." Image credit: NASA

ST5 Micro Satellites Successfully Launched
NASA's ST5 mission launched from an Orbital Sciences Pegasus rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California following a flawless countdown. Built by Orbital Sciences, the Pegasus is a unique vehicle that begins its flight secured to the underbelly of a modified L-1011 passenger jet known as the "Stargazer." The Pegasus is then released for its powered flight into space. The mission's three micro satellites were deployed as expected, one at a time and three minutes apart.

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