Delta-II/Gravity-B probe launch from Vandenberg AFB, April 20, 2004

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The Gravity-B probe was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base on April 20, 2004. It will verify whether the magnitude of warping of the space-time continuum caused by the rotation of the Earth is properly predicted by Einstein's General Theory of Relativity.

Delta-II launches Gravity-B probe from Vandenberg AFB on April 20, 2004 Six solid fuel boosters ignite and the Delta-II Rocket rises from the pad at 23 seconds after 9:57 A.M.

Delta-II launches Gravity-B probe from Vandenberg AFB on April 20, 2004

Delta-II launches Gravity-B probe from Vandenberg AFB on April 20, 2004

Delta-II launches Gravity-B probe from Vandenberg AFB on April 20, 2004

Delta-II launches Gravity-B probe from Vandenberg AFB on April 20, 2004 Three solid fuel boosters ignite one minute and ten seconds after launch as the Delta-II arcs over toward the south.

Delta-II launches Gravity-B probe from Vandenberg AFB on April 20, 2004 Two frame composite, wide-angle view of the departing rocket.

Delta-II launches Gravity-B probe from Vandenberg AFB on April 20, 2004 Three frame composite, wide-angle view of the departing rocket.

Eighty- two minutes after launch the Gravity-B probe was placed into the proper orbit.

Previous launches from Vandenberg AFB More Vandenberg AFB launch photography.

Link to Stanford's Gravity-B Probe web site.

Link to Boeing's Delta-II page.

Link to the Air Force Fact Sheet about the Delta-II.

The home page of the 30th Space Wing

Brian Webb's Space Archive Page provides launch schedule and ham radio information.

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