BY JUSTIN RAY

Follow the preparations and launch of the Orbital Sciences Pegasus rocket with NASA's HESSI solar flare research spacecraft. Reload this page for the very latest on the mission.

Read our earlier status center coverage.

Flight data file
Vehicle: Pegasus XL
Payload: HESSI
Launch date: Feb. 5, 2002
Launch window: 3:21-5:21 p.m. EST (2021-2221 GMT)
Mission staging site: Cape Canaveral, Fla.

Pre-launch briefing
Mission preview - Our story detailing the saga of multiple delays to HESSI's launch.

Launch timeline - Chart with the key events to occur during the launch.

HESSI - Facts and info on the NASA satellite being launched.

Pegasus - Overview of the air-launched Orbital Sciences rocket.