Boeing Delta II 7425 Rocket Successfully Launches NASA Science Satellite

By Cliff Lethbridge

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, FL (June 30, 2001) - A Boeing Delta II (Model 7425) rocket successfully launched the NASA Microwave Anisotropy Probe (MAP) satellite from Launch Pad 17B at 3:46 p.m. EDT today. Launch occurred as scheduled with no delays. The MAP satellite is designed to measure temperature fluctuations in Cosmic Background Radiation (CBR) to try and help scientists better determine why this radiation is not constant when observed from different directions at similar distances. The 5 meter-wide 1,850-pound MAP satellite will be placed in a solar orbit at an approximate distance of 1 million miles from Earth. The satellite has an expected life of 27 months, including three months of flight time to achieve its proper solar orbit and 24 months of scientific observations.

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