A multi-million dollar rocket carrying a satellite meant to help NASA study global warming crashed into the Pacific Ocean, Friday.

The Taurus XL rocket lifted off early Friday morning carrying NASA's "Glory" satellite, but fell out of the sky minutes later.

A protective shell failed to separate from the craft, causing the failed launch.

This was the second time in two years the satellite failed to make orbit. In 2009, the satellite crashed into the ocean near Antarctica.

The mission is costing NASA about $424 million. About $54 million went into Friday's Glory launch.

NASA has already started a board to investigate the mishap.