Delta and Dawn rocket toward orbit

The Delta 2 rocket and NASA's Dawn spacecraft fittingly lifted off from a Cape Canaveral launch pad as the sun rose over Florida's east coast.

The rocket's nine strap-on solid rocket boosters and the Delta's first stage engine all performed as expected during a beautiful morning skyshow. Trailing a billowing white umbilical of smoke, the Delta 2 arced out over the Atlantic Ocean and sped toward orbit.

First stage separation went as planned and the second stage is operating as expected. The rocket is scheduled to deploy the Dawn spacecraft one-hour and two-minutes into flight -- or at 8:36 a.m.