Vandenberg Launches Science Satellite

A Delta II rocket was propelled into space Friday morning from Vandenberg Air Force Base, carrying with it an Aquarius instrument that will measure changes in the salinity of the planet’s oceans. The mission is set to last three years, and will help researchers connect how climate changes (like rainfall and evaporation) affect the saltiness of the oceans. The rocket was a collaboration between NASA and Argentina’s space agency; while NASA built Aquarius, Argentina was responsible for assemblage of the SAC-D satellite that carried it. The launch was originally scheduled for 6/9, but was delayed due to an “inconsistency.”