NASA-International Space Station

After two delays, NASA is planned to launch an unmanned orbiting observatory that promises to greatly enhance, and considerably change, humanity's understanding of the heavens.

The Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) is likely to launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base near Santa Barbara, Calif., between 9:09 and 9:23 a.m. Eastern time. From its eventual orbit 325 miles above earth, it will start a blitz of picture-taking with equipment of unprecedented sensitivity. WISE will map the heavens on four infrared channels, frequencies of long-wave radiation that are unseen to the human eye and many telescopes.

Mission managers have implemented a plan to totally resolve the anomaly. This plan includes removing and replacing a suspect component on Friday, Dec. 11, allowing the Delta II to be prepared for Monday’s launch attempt. The current weather forecast calls for an 80 percent chance of suitable weather during the launch window.

WISE will circle Earth over the poles, scanning the entire sky one-and-a-half times in nine months. The mission will discover hidden cosmic objects, including the coolest stars, dark asteroids and the most luminous galaxies.