( CNN ) -- A satellite and the unmanned rocket that carried it apparently crashed into the Pacific Ocean shortly after lifting off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on Friday morning , NASA said . A protective shell atop the Taurus XL rocket did not separate as planned , slowing the rocket and preventing it from going into orbit , NASA officials said , citing initial information . The rocket carried a satellite , known as Glory , that was to have collected information to help scientists better understand the Earth 's climate . The satellite and rocket apparently fell into the southern Pacific , they said . `` This is a pretty tough night for all of us , '' said NASA official Ron Grabe . The mission was designed to collect data that scientists planned to use to better understand how the sun and tiny atmospheric particles called aerosols affect the Earth 's climate . NASA went into contingency mode about six minutes into the launch at 5:09 a.m . ET . `` Glory Launch : It looks like we have a problem with launch . Standby , '' NASA said on Twitter . `` The launch team is working through its launch contingency plan , including collecting data from the launch . ''
NEW : Rocket , originally thought to be in Pacific . A spacecraft emergency was declared about six minutes after launch . The satellite did not reach orbit .