Cape Canaveral, Fla., January 12, 2005 -- A Boeing Delta II rocket launched a NASA spacecraft today that will collide with a comet, causing a crater that will enable scientists to learn more about comets and their role in the formation of the Universe. The Deep Impact spacecraft was launched by a Delta II 7925-9.5 launch vehicle. Lift-off occurred at 1:47:08 p.m. EST from Space Launch Complex (SLC) 17B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The flight lasted approximately 34 minutes, placing Deep Impact into an intercept trajectory with the comet Tempel 1.