[meteorite-list] NASA'S Mars Science Laboratory Launch Rescheduled for Nov. 26

[Ron Baalke]

Nov. 19, 2011

Allard Beutel
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
allard.beutel at nasa.gov 

RELEASE: 38-11

NASA'S MARS SCIENCE LABORATORY LAUNCH RESCHEDULED FOR NOV. 26

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The launch of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 
carrying NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) is being delayed one 
day to allow time for the team to remove and replace a flight 
termination system battery. 

The launch is rescheduled for Saturday, Nov. 26 from Space Launch 
Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The one hour and 
43 minute launch window opens at 10:02 a.m. EST.

The rollout of MSL on the Atlas V to the launch pad at Space Launch 
Complex-41 now will be on Friday, Nov. 25.

The Monday, Nov. 21 schedule of prelaunch tours and media briefing at 
NASA's Kennedy Space Center will remain unchanged. The rest of the 
week's briefings and events are being reevaluated, and a new 
prelaunch schedule will be issued on Monday. 

The MSL Curiosity rover has 10 science instruments to search for 
evidence Mars 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 their gasses so its 
spectrometer can analyze and send the data back to Earth.

For the latest information on NASA's Mars Science Laboratory mission, 
visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/msl 

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