NASA's Earth observing satellite, Aqua, successfully launched at 2:55 a.m. PDT on May 4, 2002. Aqua is dedicated to advancing our understanding of Earth's water cycle and our environment. Launching the Aqua spacecraft marks a major milestone in support of NASA's mission to help us better understand and protect our planet. The Aqua spacecraft lifted off from the Western Test Range of Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., aboard a Delta II rocket at 2:55 a.m. PDT. Spacecraft separation occurred at 3:54 a.m. PDT. inserting Aqua into a 438-mile (705-kilometer) orbit.
<bdi><a href="https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q71171454" class="extiw" title="d:Q71171454"><span title="American photographer">Bill Ingalls</span></a>
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Taken on 4 May 2002
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