Images & Movies
The Delta II on the Eve of Launch
The mobile service tower has been rolled back at Launch Complex 17, Pad A, to prepare for launch of NASA's Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) spacecraft atop the Delta 230 expendable launch vehicle. Once lofted into orbit, the RXTE spacecraft will embark on an approximately two-year mission to carry out an in-depth study of x-ray sources in the universe. The Delta 230 is built by McDonnell Douglas Aerospace and is a Delta I 7920-configuration vehicle. It features a new advanced technology avionics system that offers improved reliability at reduced cost. The RXTE vehicle and launch services are being provided by McDonnell Douglas under a Medium Expendable Launch Vehicle contract with NASA.
