Atlas 5 to launch Mars Science Laboratory
Posted: Mon, Jun 5, 2006, 12:54 PM ET (1654 GMT)
NASA announced Friday that it has selected an Atlas 5 to launch its Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover in 2009. The $194.7-million contract with Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services covers mission integration and launch services for the spacecraft. MSL is the agency's most sophisticated rover yet planned for Mars, with an RTG enabling long-duration operations on the Martian surface. NASA previously used an Atlas 5 to launch the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter last year and the New Horizons mission to Pluto in January; the twin Mars Exploration Rovers, still operating after nearly two and a half years on Mars, were launched in 2003 on Delta 2 rockets.
NASA announced Friday that it has selected an Atlas 5 to launch its Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover in 2009. The $194.7-million contract with Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services covers mission integration and launch services for the spacecraft. MSL is the agency's most sophisticated rover yet planned for Mars, with an RTG enabling long-duration operations on the Martian surface. NASA previously used an Atlas 5 to launch the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter last year and the New Horizons mission to Pluto in January; the twin Mars Exploration Rovers, still operating after nearly two and a half years on Mars, were launched in 2003 on Delta 2 rockets.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Sunday, February 12
Philip Plait on the Wonders of the Universe
The Browser — 7:00 pm ET (0000 GMT) Young girl's curiosity of science leads to becoming first African-American woman in space
US Air Force — 6:58 pm ET (2358 GMT) Cleveland-built testing equipment ready for space
AP — 6:57 pm ET (2357 GMT) Out of this world! Video shows spectacular view of moon and Northern Lights from space
The Daily Mail — 6:56 pm ET (2356 GMT) Final ‘go’ for Vega launch
ESA — 10:27 am ET (1527 GMT) |