A Delta II-Heavy propelled the Dawn spacecraft into space on its 4-year flight to the asteroid belt. The Delta II was designed to boost medium-sized satellites and robotic explorers into space.
The Delta II-Heavy used for Dawn is the strongest rocket in the Delta II class. It took three stages and nine solid-fueled booster rockets to propel Dawn on its way. A 9.5-foot payload fairing protected the spacecraft from the heat and stresses of launch. It fell away from the spacecraft after the rocket reached the upper levels of the atmosphere.
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