STARDUST Launch Photos

No copyright protection is asserted for this photography. If a recognizable person appears in this photograph, use for commercial purposes may infringe a right of privacy or publicity. It may not be used to state or imply the endorsement by NASA employees of a commercial product, process or service, or used in any other manner that might mislead. Accordingly, it is requested that if this photograph is used in advertising and other commercial promotion, layout and copy be submitted to NASA prior to release. PHOTO CREDIT: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration Clicking on any of the thumbnail images below will bring up a higher resolution version of that image. KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The STARDUST spacecraft is launched on a Delta II rocket from Launch Pad 17-A, Cape Canaveral Station on February 7, 1999 at 4:04:15 p.m. EST. A 24-hour scrub postponed the launch from the originally scheduled date of Feb. 6. Stardust is destined for a close encounter with the comet Wild 2 in January 2004. Using a silicon-based substance called aerogel, Stardust will capture comet particles flying off the nucleus of the comet. The spacecraft also will bring back samples of interstellar dust. These materials consist of ancient pre-solar interstellar grains and other remnants left over from the formation of the solar system. Scientists expect their analysis to provide important insights into the evolution of the sun and planets and possibly into the origin of life itself. The collected samples will return to Earth in a sample return capsule to be jettisoned as Stardust swings by Earth in January 2006.
STARDUST Launch Photo Number: KSC-99PC-155 High Resolution JPEG - 1.2 MB As tower rollback begins, the Boeing Delta II rocket carrying the Stardust spacecraft waits on Launch Pad 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Station, for the second attempt at launch at 4:04 p.m. EST.	STARDUST Launch Photo Number: KSC-99PC-156 High Resolution JPEG - 1.0 MB After a 24-hour postponement, the Boeing Delta II rocket carrying the Stardust spacecraft waits on Launch Pad 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Station, for its scheduled launch at 4:04 p.m. EST. Umbilical lines (at top) still attached to the fixed utility tower (at right) feed electricity, air conditioning and coolants for the Stardust spacecraft inside the fairing (enclosing the upper stage) before launch.
STARDUST Launch Photo Number: KSC-99PC-157 High Resolution JPEG - 1.2 MB In the late morning light at Launch Pad 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Station, the fixed utility tower (right) casts a long shadow across the base of the Boeing Delta II rocket (left) waiting to launch the Stardust spacecraft.	STARDUST Launch Photo Number: KSC-99PC-158 High Resolution JPEG - 1.2 MB Into a pristine blue sky, the Boeing Delta II rocket carrying the Stardust spacecraft leaves clouds of exhaust behind as it lifts off.
STARDUST Launch Photo Number: KSC-99PC-159 High Resolution JPEG - 2.2 MB Flames sear the pristine blue sky behind the Boeing Delta II rocket carrying the Stardust spacecraft after the 4:04:15 p.m. launch from Launch Pad 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Station.	STARDUST Launch Photo Number: KSC-99PC-160 High Resolution JPEG - 1.7 MB Photographers (left) and reporters (right) follow the snaking exhaust of the Boeing Delta II rocket carrying the Stardust spacecraft after its launch.
STARDUST Launch Photo Number: KSC-99PC-161 High Resolution JPEG - 1.6 MB Billows of exhaust roll across Launch Pad 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Station, as the Boeing Delta II rocket carrying the Stardust spacecraft launches on time. At left is the mobile launch tower.	STARDUST Launch Photo Number: KSC-99PC-162 High Resolution JPEG - 1.6 MB Billows of exhaust fill Launch Pad 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Station, as the Boeing Delta II rocket carrying the Stardust spacecraft launches on time.