Aquarius/SAC-D Launched

Aquarius/SAC-D Launched
“With a burst of light, the United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket carrying the Aquarius/SAC-D spacecraft lifted off June 10, 2011 at 7:20 a.m. PDT (10:20 a.m. EDT) from NASA’s Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.”
NASA Launches Space-Based Saline Solution, OSTP
“Aquarius is the product of an international collaborative effort between NASA and the Argentine space agency, with contributions by Canada, France, Brazil, and Italy. This new capability will enhance and complement the European Space Agency’s Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity satellite designed primarily to measure soil moisture.”
Keith’s note: There is a memorial banner on the launch tower that reads “In memory of our colleague and friend Hal Chase – the ULA Team”. Hal Chase was a ULA employee at VAFB and passed away recently.