Posted: Sun, Jun 29, 2003, 1:00 AM ET (0500 GMT)
Clouds and winds forced NASA to delay the launch of the Mars rover Opportunity Saturday night. NASA had hoped to launch the rover on a Delta 2 Heavy at either 11:56:16 pm or 12:37:59 am EDT (0356:16 or 0437:59 GMT Sunday). However, the first launch window was lost because of concerns that low-level winds could carry toxic fumes from a launch explosion over populated areas; in addition, a boat was located in a restricted zone off the coast from the launch site. The winds shifted and the boat moved in time for the second one-second launch window, but meteorologists detected a high-altitude wind shear that required controllers to scrub the launch. The launch has been rescheduled for Sunday night at either 11:46:14 pm or 12:28:07 am EDT (0346:14 or 0428:07 GMT Monday). Launch windows for the rover exist through mid-July.

Related Links:

•  AP article
•  Spaceflight Now launch status center