WISE Snug in its Nose Cone
Jet Propulsion Laboratory https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/ Dec. 1, 2009
NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) is shown inside one-half of the nose cone, or fairing, that will protect it during launch. The spacecraft is clamped to the top of the rocket above the white conical fitting. The fairing will split open like a clamshell about five minutes after launch.