[meteorite-list] MSL Update - November 10, 2011

[Ron Baalke]

Nov. 10, 2011

George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
george.h.diller at nasa.gov

STATUS REPORT: ELV-111011

EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT

Spacecraft: Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity)
Launch Vehicle: Atlas V-541 (AV-028)
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Launch Pad: Space Launch Complex 41
Launch Date: Nov. 25, 2011
Launch Time: 10:25 a.m. EST 

In the Vertical Integration Facility at Launch Complex 41, the Mars 
Science Laboratory with the Curiosity rover is atop the Atlas V 
rocket. The "integrated systems" test which encompasses the final 
integrated avionics systems testing with the spacecraft prior to 
launch has been successfully completed. An MSL flight system 
"baseline test" also has been performed. This was a state of health 
check for the rover, descent stage, cruise stage, science instruments 
and cameras.

The Flight Readiness Review will be held on Nov. 18. Closeouts of the 
spacecraft and the Atlas V fairing are scheduled to follow on Nov. 
19.

Curiosity has 10 science instruments to search for evidence about 
whether Mars has had environments favorable for microbial life, 
including the chemical ingredients for life. The unique rover will 
use a laser to look inside rocks and release the gasses so that its 
spectrometer can analyze and send the data back to Earth. 

Previous status reports are available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/status/index.html 
	
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