An Orbital Sciences Taurus XL launched from Vandenberg pad 576E March 4 carrying a NASA payload. The launch proceeded as planned from its liftoff at 2:09 a.m. PST through the ignition of the Taurus XL's second stage. Telemetry indicated the fairing, a protective shell atop the rocket, did not separate as expected during the second stage engine burn. The Glory spacecraft likely fell into the Pacific Ocean. The Glory Earth-observing satellite was intended to improve understanding of how the sun and tiny atmospheric particles affect Earth's climate.