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NASA is preparing to expand the already legendary
capabilities of its

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critical Earth-to-space communications network
-- the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System.

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The TDRS-L satellite is at Cape Canaveral
Air Force Station in Florida undergoing final

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preparations

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for its upcoming ride to space aboard a United
Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.

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The Atlas V first-stage booster and Centaur
upper stage were shipped together aboard

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ULA's massive Delta Mariner Barge.

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The pair reached Port Canaveral on Nov. 1,
2013, and were trucked north to begin checkouts

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inside the

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Atlas Spaceflight Operations Center at Cape
Canaveral Air Force Station.

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A U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo plane delivered
the TDRS-L satellite to Kennedy Space Center

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on December 6

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with an early morning touchdown at the Shuttle
Landing Facility.

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The 7,600-pound spacecraft was carefully removed
from the aircraft and transported

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to the Astrotech payload processing facility
in Titusville.

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Once inside, it was uncrated and raised to
vertical, kicking off several weeks of examinations,

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tests and other prelaunch activities.

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In mid-December the rocket's first-stage booster
rolled from the Atlas Spaceflight Operations

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Center

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to the Vertical Integration Facility at Space
Launch Complex 41, and was raised into flight

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position.

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Next, the Centaur moved to the launch complex
and was attached atop the first stage.

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Members of the news media got one last, up-close
look at the TDRS-L spacecraft

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just after the new year -- and on Jan. 8,
2014, the satellite was enclosed within the

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aerodynamic payload

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fairing that will protect it through the early
minutes of flight.

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At last, the spacecraft was ready to move
to the launch pad.

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In the early morning darkness Jan. 20, the
payload fairing carrying TDRS-L rolled

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from Astrotech to Space Launch Complex 41,
where it was placed atop the Atlas V rocket

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to await

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launch day.

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When countdown clocks reach zero, the Atlas
V booster will ignite,