Posted: Sun, Jun 8, 2003, 12:50 PM ET (1650 GMT)
NASA scrubbed Sunday's scheduled launch of the first of two Mars Exploration Rovers, citing approaching thunderstorms. Launch controllers decided to postpone the launch at about 12:20 pm EDT (1620 GMT), nearly two hours before the first of two one-second launch windows available Sunday afternoon. Approaching thunderstorms made it unlikely that the launch could take place as scheduled, and the early scrub allowed workers to move the mobile service platform pack around the rocket to protect it from the weather. The launch of the rover, renamed "Spirit" during a ceremony Sunday morning, is now scheduled for Monday at 2:02:23 or 2:40:30 pm EDT (1802:23 or 1840:30 GMT). However, meteorologists are forecasting a 60 percent chance of unacceptable weather Monday, falling to 40 percent on Tuesday. Launch windows for Spirit remain open through June 19.

Related Links:

•  Spaceflight Now mission status center.
•  SPACE.com next launch information