Credit: NASA/VAFB
Upon arrival at Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc, Calif., the CALIPSO spacecraft was removed from the shipping container. The shipping container, shown here, is gently lifted off of the spacecraft to prevent damage to the satellite's instruments and electronics. The unpacking is conducted in a "clean room" where vacuums, special filters and special clothing are used to keep dust, dirt and other contaminants away from the spacecraft.
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