NASA's Kepler Mission Rockets to Space in Search of Other Earths

http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2009/mar/HQ_09-052_Kepler_launches.html

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http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/06mar_keplerlaunch.htm?list965414
NASA's Kepler Mission Rockets to Space in Search of Other Earths

*March 6, 2009:* NASA's Kepler mission successfully launched into space from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II at 10:49 p.m. EST, Friday. Kepler is designed to find the first Earth-size planets orbiting stars at distances where water could pool on the planet's surface. Liquid water is believed to be essential for the formation of life.

"It was a stunning launch," said Kepler Project Manager James Fanson of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. "Our team is thrilled to be a part of something so meaningful to the human race -- Kepler will help us understand if our Earth is unique or if others like it are out there."
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Was glad to see the launch was successful.
It has been a long time in getting there with a number of proposals before getting accepted.

Just take a look at the news story time line, you will see it goes back to 1999.
http://kepler.nasa.gov/about/news.html

The Kepler web site has changed over the years.
You might care to check out what they have now.
http://kepler.nasa.gov/

Thanks for looking up with me.

Larry Kellogg

Web Site: http://lkellogg.vttoth.com/LarryRussellKellogg/
BlogSpot: http://kelloggserialreports.blogspot.com/