Explanation:
This dramatic time-lapse photo traces a
20 minute long, late evening rollback of the lighted
Mobile Service Tower
at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Launch Complex 17.
Twin spacecraft are snug inside the
13 story tall Delta 2 rocket
poised for launch.
The duo will journey to the Moon on NASA's
Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory
mission, GRAIL, using precision formation flying to
map
the Moon's gravity field.
The scene was captured prior to the first launch attempt,
canceled due to upper level winds, on September 8.
Further launch opportunities for GRAIL
begin this morning, September 10.
The GRAIL launch is the last one planned from
Complex 17 on Cape Canaveral's oldest still active pad,
in use since 1957.
