George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
george.h.diller@nasa.gov

RELEASE: 47-09

DELTA II NASA LAUNCH FOR MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY SUCCESSFUL

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A Delta II rocket managed by NASA's Launch
Services Program lifted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Thursday with two spacecraft for the United States Missile Defense
Agency. The Space Tracking and Surveillance System Demonstrator
mission, or STSS Demo, lifted off from Pad B at Launch Complex 17 at
8:20 a.m. EDT.

The launch vehicle was a United Launch Alliance Delta II 7920-10c. The
final spacecraft separation for the second of two satellites occurred
55 minutes after liftoff.

"With confirmation of the payload's delivery into the correct orbit,
the launch is a success," said Omar Baez, launch director for the
NASA Launch Services Program headquartered at Kennedy Space Center.

The STSS Demo mission is a space-based sensor component of the
Ballistic Missile Defense System. The two spacecraft will use sensors
capable of detecting visible and infrared light to provide timely and
accurate acquisition and tracking of potentially threatening
ballistic missiles. The satellites have a two-year mission life and
four-year design life.

NASA also managed the launch of another mission for the Missile
Defense Agency aboard a Delta II rocket in May from Vandenberg Air
Force Base in California.

For more information about NASA's Launch Services Program, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets