Aquarius Instrument at Vandenberg Air Force Base

Description: Engineers stand beside the Aquarius instrument at Vandenberg Air Force Base just prior to the launch of the Aquarius/SAC-D satellite on June 10, 2011. The large (2.5 m in diameter) reflector dish, topped with gold foil, is connected by a boom that would eventually be deployed on orbit. The radiometer feed horns are seen as three circular "holes" on the instrument. Credit: NASA.