When the next robotic rover blasts off for Mars, United Launch Alliance will again be the company charged with making sure the launch goes smoothly.
The Centennial company, which launched the Spirit and Opportunity rovers, won the gig from NASA on Thursday. ULA will use its Atlas V vehicle to launch the Mars rover, known as Mars 2020. It’s set to launch in July 2020 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
NASA put the launch cost at $243 million.
ULA said it has a good track record, with 17 successful missions to Mars over the past 50 years. According to a ULA statement, “this mission will launch aboard an Atlas V 541 vehicle, which includes a 5-meter diameter payload fairing and four solid rocket motors.”
NASA said the new rover will help determine whether the planet is habitable and assess potential hazards for future human explorers. It will also search for signs of ancient Martian life.
