Atlas V to Launch NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory Feb. 9

The Solar Dynamics Observatory is the first mission to be launched for NASA`s Living With a Star (LWS) Program

(February 4, 2010) -- Atlas V is set to launch NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) Feb. 9, with a launch window of 10:30-11:30 a.m. EST from Space Launch Complex-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. If the launch scrubs, the next launch attempt is set for Feb. 10 with a launch window of 10:26-11:36 a.m. EST.

SDO will mark ULA's 38th launch in 38 months of operation since the company's inception Dec. 1, 2006.

The Solar Dynamics Observatory is the first mission to be launched for NASA`s Living With a Star (LWS) Program, a program designed to understand the causes of solar variability and its impacts on Earth. SDO is designed to help us understand the Sun`s influence on Earth and Near-Earth space by studying the solar atmosphere on small scales of space and time and in many wavelengths simultaneously

Source : United Launch Alliance