Article Posted on : - Jun 07, 2011

Artist's concept of the Aquarius/SAC-D spacecraft. Photo: NASA.

WASHINGTON (BNS): NASA is all set to launch Aquarius/SAC-D spacecraft from its Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, the agency announced Monday.

The spacecraft is schedule to be launched on June 9 at 2:20 pm (GMT) from the Vandenberg AFB.

On Friday, the liquid oxidizer was loaded aboard the United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket's second stage.

Aquarius will take NASA's first space-based measurements of ocean surface salinity, a key missing variable in satellite observations of Earth that links ocean circulation, the global balance of freshwater and climate.

Aquarius/SAC-D spacecraft is formed through a collaboration between NASA and Argentina's space agency, with participation from Brazil, Canada, France and Italy.