SUNSAT Launch Pictures

Images courtesy FLORIDA TODAY Space Online

The following pictures come from the video feed of the launch. Thanks to Justin Ray for the descriptions. See the photos from prior to launch (from Vandenberg) and the older pictures in the Picture Viewer

	Delta 2 rocket atop its launch pad at Space Launch Complex-2 West at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
	Delta 2 rocket atop its launch pad at Space Launch Complex-2 West at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California from the mobile service tower.
	Delta 2 rocket atop its launch pad at Space Launch Complex-2 West at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Vapor can be seen venting from the rocket's first stage liquid oxygen tank (SUNSAT lo/go also visible).
	Ignition of the vernier engines and first stage main engine start.
	Liftoff !
	Liftoff !
	The rocket completing the roll maneuever to position the vehicle for its travel downrange away from the launch site.
	The rocket completing the roll maneuever to position the vehicle for its travel downrange away from the launch site.
	The rocket completing the roll maneuever to position the vehicle for its travel downrange away from the launch site.
	Separation of the six solid rocket motors that were ignited at liftoff.
	Delta 2 rocket atop its launch pad at Space Launch Complex-2 West at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. This also shows the base of the rocket and the solid rocket motor nozzles.
	Continued flight with the three air-start solid rocket motors firing.
	Continued flight with the three air-start solid rocket motors firing.
	Air-start solids burning out.
	Air-start solids burning out.
	Separation of the three air-start solid motors.
	Vehicle continuing downrange.
	First stage engine firing as seen by infrared tracking camera.
	Shows first stage main engine cutoff (MECO) from infrared tracking camera.
	The view from the infrared tracking camera shows vernier engines still firing just after MECO and prior to first stage separation.