Ocean-monitoring satellite blasts off from Calif.

June 20th, 2008 in Space & Earth / Environment
Ocean-monitoring satellite blasts off from Calif.

This image provided by NASA shows the satellite, called Ocean Surface Topography Mission-Jason 2 sitting atop the Delta 2 rocket as the mobile tower is rolled back Thursday June 19, 2008. The rocket lifted off Friday morning June 20, 2008 from Vandenberg Air Force Base on the California coast. The satellite, will use a radar altimeter to precisely measure the height of the ocean surface, which changes depending on temperature. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration expects to use the new satellite to improve hurricane forecasting. (AP Photo/NASA)

(AP) -- A rocket carrying a U.S.-French ocean-monitoring satellite lifted off early Friday from the central California coast.

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