Radiation Belt Storm Probes Launch

The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA’s Radiation Belt Storm Probes, or RBSP, spacecraft creates a halo of light at Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The image was taken on Aug. 30, 2012.

United Launch Alliance Atlas V Rocket

With its engines burning bright against the late night sky, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes, or RBSP, travels upward after lifting off Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The image was taken on Aug. 30, 2012.

Atlas V Launches with Blue Hue

Illuminated with a blue hue from bright xenon lights, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA’s Radiation Belt Storm Probes, or RBSP, spacecraft begins to lift off Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The image was taken on Aug. 30, 2012.

Radiation Belt Storm Probes Waiting for Launch

The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA’s Radiation Belt Storm Probes, or RBSP, is a breath away from lifting off Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The image was taken on Aug. 30, 2012.

Launch Photo: Radiation Belt Storm Probes

The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes, or RBSP, lifted off Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Aug, 30. 2012.

United Launch Alliance Atlas V Probe Launch

The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes, or RBSP, lifted off Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Aug. 30, 2012.

Stunning Launch Photo: Radiation Belt Storm Probes

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket blasts off with NASA’s twin Radiation Belt Storm Probes mission from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Aug. 30, 2012. Liftoff occurred at 4:05 a.m. EDT.

Launch Photo: Radiation Belt Storm Probes

The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes, or RBSP, lifted off Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Aug, 30. 2012.

Launch Photo: Radiation Belt Storm Probes

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket blasts off with NASA’s twin Radiation Belt Storm Probes mission from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Aug. 30, 2012. Liftoff occurred at 4:05 a.m. EDT.

Blue Hue from Atlas V Launch

Illuminated with a blue hue from bright xenon lights, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA’s Radiation Belt Storm Probes, or RBSP, spacecraft lifts off Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida The image was taken on Aug. 30, 2012.

Liftoff! Radiation Belt Storm Probes Launch

NASA's twin Radiation Belt Storm Probes launch into orbit atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., at 4:05 a.m. EDT on Aug. 30, 2012.

NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes Launch (Wide View)

A far view of NASA's twin Radiation Belt Storm Probes launch into orbit atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., at 4:05 a.m. EDT on Aug. 30, 2012.

Radiation Belt Storm Probes Launch (Close-Up)

A NASA camera provides this zoom view of the Atlas 5 rocket launching the twin Radiation Belt Storm Probes into orbit on Aug. 30, 2012, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.

Radiation Belt Storm Probes Launch (Ascent)

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket soars toward space carrying NASA's twin Radiation Belt Storm Probes on Aug. 30, 2012, in a successful launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.

Radiation Probes Launch: Stage Separation

This United Launch Alliance graphic depicts first stage separation based on telemetry from the Aug. 30, 2012, launch of an Atlas 5 rocket carrying NASA's twin Radiation Belt Storm Probes mission. The mission launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

Radiation Probes Launch: Nose Fairing Sep

The protective nose cone falls away as designed from the Atlas 5 rocket carrying NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes in this United Launch Alliance graphic based on live telemetry on Aug. 30, 2012.

Engines Ignite Under Atlas 5

The engines ignite under the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket at 4:05 a.m. EDT lifting NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes, or RBSP, off Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Aug, 30. 2012.

Atlas V Probe Ignites

The engines ignite under the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket at 4:05 a.m. EDT on Aug. 30, 2012 lifting NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes, or RBSP, off Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

United Launch Alliance Atlas V Rocket Carrying RBSP

The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA’s Radiation Belt Storm Probes, or RBSP, is a breath away from lifting off Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Aug. 30, 2012.

RBSP Spacecraft Stacked

NASA's twin RBSP spacecraft were stacked on July 27, 2012, inside the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, FL.

How the Radiation Belt Storm Probes Work (Infographic)

NASA's Radiation Storm Belt Probes mission will study Earth's radiation belts, the Van Allen Belts, like never before. See how they will work in this SPACE.com infographic.

Artist's Rendition of Radiation Belt Storm Probes

An artist's rendition of what the two Radiation Belt Storm Probe spacecraft will look like in space.

Radiation Belt Storm Probes Mission

The Radiation Belt Storm Probes Mission, part of NASA's Living With a Star program, will provide unprecedented insight into the physical dynamics of the radiation belts.

Atlas V Rocket Radiation Belt Storm Launch

The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes, or RBSP, lifted off Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Aug. 30, 2012.

Atlas 5 Rocket Carrying Radiation Belt Storm Probes

An unmanned United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket is readied to launch NASA's twin Radiation Belt Storm Probes mission on Aug. 24, 2012, from Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

United Launch Alliance Atlas 5

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket stands ready for launch at Space Launch Complex-41 with NASA’s Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) satellite. Launch is set for Friday, Aug. 24 at 4:07 a.m. EDT.

United Launch Alliance Atlas 5

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket stands ready for launch at Space Launch Complex-41 with NASA’s Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) satellite. Launch is set for Friday, Aug. 24 at 4:07 a.m. EDT.

Centaur Stage Mating with Atlas 5 Rocket

At Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., United Launch Alliance technicians support the lifting operation as the Centaur stage is prepared for mating with the Atlas V rocket, which will launch the Radiation Belt Storm Probes, or RBSP, spacecraft. Image released July 16, 2012.

Top of Atlas V Rocket Carrying RBSP Satellite

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V stands ready for launch at Space Launch Complex-41 with NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) satellite. RBSP will study changes in Earth's space environment caused by the sun that can disable satellites, create power grid failures and disrupt GPS service.

Radiation Belt Storm Probes Launch (Ascent)

With its engines burning bright against the late night sky, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes, or RBSP, travels upward after lifting off Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Aug, 30. 2012.

Radiation Belt Storm Probes Launch (Ascent)

With its engines burning bright against the late night sky, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes, or RBSP, travels upward after lifting off Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Aug, 30. 2012.

Radiation Belt Storm Probes Launch (Ascent)

With its engines burning bright against the late night sky, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes, or RBSP, travels upward after lifting off Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Aug, 30. 2012.

Atlas V Rocket Radiation Belt Storm Probes Launch

The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes, or RBSP, lifted off Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Aug. 30, 2012.

Radiation Belt Storm Probes Launch (Ascent)

The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes, or RBSP, lifted off Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Aug, 30. 2012.

Red Glow of Engines

The red glow of engines is all that can be see against the late night sky, as the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes, or RBSP, travels upward after lifting off Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The image was taken on Aug. 30, 2012.

Atlas 5 Engine Glow

With its engines burning bright against the late night sky, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes, or RBSP, travels upward after lifting off Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The image was taken on Aug. 30, 2012.

United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 Engines Glow ( Close-up)

With its engines burning bright against the late night sky, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes, or RBSP, travels upward after lifting off Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The image was taken on Aug. 30, 2012.

Radiation Belt Storm Astrotech

The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes, or RBSP, lifted off Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. This image was taken Aug. 30, 2012.

Radiation Belt Storm Probes Launch

The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes, or RBSP, lifts off Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. This image was taken Aug. 30, 2012.

Liftoff! NASA Radiation Belt Storm Probes Launch Photos

Date: 30 August 2012 Time: 04:26 AM ET
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