Orbital’s Taurus Rocket Launches Two Satellites and Performs Space Burials

[21 Dec 1999] Early Tuesday morning, an Orbital Sciences Taurus rocket carried two scientific satellites and a small secondary commercial payload into orbit. The launch from Vandenburg Air Force Base occurred at 2:12 AM EST.

The two satellites are the the Korean Aerospace Research Institute’s Korea Multi-Purpose Satellite (KOMPSAT) – the primary payload [R], and NASA JPL’s Active Cavity Irradiance Monitor Satellite (ACRIMSAT) [L] – the mission’s secondary payload. In addition, a payload container from the Celestis Corporation is attached to the Taurus vehicle’s final stage and contains the cremated remains of a number individuals.

° Post-launch press release on AcrimSat, NASA JPL

° Orbital Sciences Corporation

° Press release, Orbital Sciences Corporation

° KOMPSAT program, Korean Aerospace Research Institute (KARI)

° ACRIM program, NASA JPL

° “Millennial Flight Participants” , Celestis