On July 18, 2003, the first stage of Spitzer's Delta II rocket waits to be lifted up into the mobile service tower.

The Spitzer Space Telescope was enclosed in a protective canister, transferred to the top of a Delta II rocket, but not launched due to engineering concerns that delayed the launch. The rocket initially meant to launch Spitzer was then used for a Mars mission, which had a more restricted launch window, and the Spitzer launch was delayed until August 25, 2003.

The Spitzer Space Telescope was enclosed in a protective canister, transferred to the top of a Delta II rocket, but not launched due to engineering concerns that delayed the launch. The rocket initially meant to launch Spitzer was then used for a Mars mission, which had a more restricted launch window, and the Spitzer launch was delayed until August 25, 2003.

The Spitzer Space Telescope was placed in a faring on top of a Delta II rocket before not being launched due to the need to do additional engineering verification on the rocket. Spitzer was later moved back off its rocket and subsequently launched on a different vehicle on August 25, 2003.

The Spitzer Space Telescope was placed in a faring on top of a Delta II rocket before not being launched due to the need to do additional engineering verification on the rocket. Spitzer was later moved back off its rocket and subsequently launched on a different vehicle on August 25, 2003.

The Spitzer Space Telescope is placed in its payload canister for transfer to the launch pad before its aborted earlier launch. Spitzer was later moved back off its rocket and subsequently launched on a different vehicle on August 25, 2003.

The Spitzer Space Telescope is placed in its payload canister for transfer to the launch pad before its aborted earlier launch. Spitzer was later moved back off its rocket and subsequently launched on a different vehicle on August 25, 2003.

The Spitzer Space Telescope is placed in its payload canister for transfer to the launch pad before its aborted earlier launch. Spitzer was later moved back off its rocket and subsequently launched on a different vehicle on August 25, 2003.

The Spitzer Space Telescope is placed in its payload canister for transfer to the launch pad before its aborted earlier launch. Spitzer was later moved back off its rocket and subsequently launched on a different vehicle on August 25, 2003.

The Spitzer Space Telescope is placed in its payload canister for transfer to the launch pad before its aborted earlier launch. Spitzer was later moved back off its rocket and subsequently launched on a different vehicle on August 25, 2003.

The Spitzer Space Telescope is placed in its payload canister for transfer to the launch pad before its aborted earlier launch. Spitzer was later moved back off its rocket and subsequently launched on a different vehicle on August 25, 2003.

The adapter ring that would attach Spitzer to its Delta II rocket, seen here being prepped before the aborted April 18, 2003 launch. Spitzer ultimately launched on August 25, 2003.

The adapter ring that would attach Spitzer to its Delta II rocket, seen here being prepped before the aborted April 18, 2003 launch. Spitzer ultimately launched on August 25, 2003.

The second stage of a Delta II rocket intended for Spitzer, but ultimately used for a Mars mission due to a scheduling change.

The second stage of a Delta II rocket intended for Spitzer, but ultimately used for a Mars mission due to a scheduling change.

The second stage of a Delta II rocket intended for Spitzer, but ultimately used for a Mars mission due to a scheduling change.

The second stage of a Delta II rocket intended for Spitzer, but ultimately used for a Mars mission due to a scheduling change.

The second stage of a Delta II rocket intended for Spitzer, but ultimately used for a Mars mission due to a scheduling change.

The second stage of a Delta II rocket intended for Spitzer, but ultimately used for a Mars mission due to a scheduling change.

The second stage of a Delta II rocket intended for Spitzer, but ultimately used for a Mars mission due to a scheduling change.

A Delta II rocket, initially intended to launch the Spitzer Space Telescope on April 18, 2003. However, due to additional engineering tests that were needed on the rocket, the launch was delayed and the rocket was instead used to launch a Mars mission. Spitzer launched on a different rocket on August 25, 2003.

A Delta II rocket, initially intended to launch the Spitzer Space Telescope on April 18, 2003. However, due to additional engineering tests that were needed on the rocket, the launch was delayed and the rocket was instead used to launch a Mars mission. Spitzer launched on a different rocket on August 25, 2003.

A Delta II rocket, initially intended to launch the Spitzer Space Telescope on April 18, 2003. However, due to additional engineering tests that were needed on the rocket, the launch was delayed and the rocket was instead used to launch a Mars mission. Spitzer launched on a different rocket on August 25, 2003.

A Delta II rocket, initially intended to launch the Spitzer Space Telescope on April 18, 2003. However, due to additional engineering tests that were needed on the rocket, the launch was delayed and the rocket was instead used to launch a Mars mission. Spitzer launched on a different rocket on August 25, 2003.

A Delta II rocket, initially intended to launch the Spitzer Space Telescope on April 18, 2003. However, due to additional engineering tests that were needed on the rocket, the launch was delayed and the rocket was instead used to launch a Mars mission. Spitzer launched on a different rocket on August 25, 2003.

A Delta II rocket, initially intended to launch the Spitzer Space Telescope on April 18, 2003. However, due to additional engineering tests that were needed on the rocket, the launch was delayed and the rocket was instead used to launch a Mars mission. Spitzer launched on a different rocket on August 25, 2003.

A Delta II rocket, initially intended to launch the Spitzer Space Telescope on April 18, 2003. However, due to additional engineering tests that were needed on the rocket, the launch was delayed and the rocket was instead used to launch a Mars mission. Spitzer launched on a different rocket on August 25, 2003.

A Delta II rocket, initially intended to launch the Spitzer Space Telescope on April 18, 2003. However, due to additional engineering tests that were needed on the rocket, the launch was delayed and the rocket was instead used to launch a Mars mission. Spitzer launched on a different rocket on August 25, 2003.

A Delta II rocket, initially intended to launch the Spitzer Space Telescope on April 18, 2003. However, due to additional engineering tests that were needed on the rocket, the launch was delayed and the rocket was instead used to launch a Mars mission. Spitzer launched on a different rocket on August 25, 2003.

A Delta II rocket, initially intended to launch the Spitzer Space Telescope on April 18, 2003. However, due to additional engineering tests that were needed on the rocket, the launch was delayed and the rocket was instead used to launch a Mars mission. Spitzer launched on a different rocket on August 25, 2003.