Mars Science Laboratory in Good Health
Engineers have received data from NASA's Mars Science Laboratory showing that all systems are operating normally. The approximately eight-month journey to Mars is underway.
Latest Updates:- Engineers have received data from NASA's Mars Science Laboratory showing that all systems are operating normally. The approximately eight-month journey to Mars is underway.- NASA's Mars Science Laboratory has separated from the rocket that boosted it toward Mars and has sent a signal to Earth.- NASA's Mars Science Laboratory and its rocket are coasting in orbit around Earth before heading to Mars.- NASA's Mars Science Laboratory and its Curiosity rover have blasted off on an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.Mars Science Laboratory Launch Milestones - November 23, 2011PASADENA, Calif. --  NASA's Mars Science Laboratory is tucked inside its Atlas V rocket, ready for  launch on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in  Florida. The Nov. 26 launch window extends from 7:02 a.m. to 8:45  a.m. PST (10:02 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. EST). The launch period for the mission  extends through Dec. 18.The spacecraft, which will arrive at Mars in  August 2012, is equipped with the most advanced rover ever to land on another  planet. Named Curiosity, the rover will investigate whether the landing region has had environmental  conditions favorable for supporting microbial life, and favorable for  preserving clues about whether life existed.On Nov. 26, NASA Television coverage of the  launch will begin at 4:30 a.m. PST (7:30 a.m. EST). Live launch coverage will  be carried on all NASA Television channels. For NASA Television downlink  information, schedule information and streaming video, visit:http://www.nasa.gov/ntv. The launch coverage will also be streamed live on Ustream athttp://www.ustream.tv/nasajpl.If the spacecraft  lifts off at the start of the launch window on Nov. 26, the following  milestones are anticipated. Times would vary for other launch times and dates.Launch--The rocket's  first-stage common core booster, and the four solid rocket boosters, will  ignite before liftoff. Launch, or "T Zero", actually occurs before  the rocket leaves the ground. The four solid rocket boosters jettison at launch  plus one minute and 52 seconds.Fairing Separation--The nose cone, or  fairing, carrying Mars Science Laboratory will open like a clamshell and fall away  at about three minutes and 25 seconds after launch. After this, the rocket's  first stage will cut off and then drop into the Atlantic Ocean.Parking Orbit--The rocket's  second stage, a Centaur engine, is started for the first time at about four minutes  and 38 seconds after launch. After it completes its first burn of about 7 minutes,  the rocket will be in a parking orbit around Earth at an altitude that varies  from 102 miles (165 kilometers) to 201 miles (324 kilometers). It will remain  there from 14 to 30 minutes, depending on the launch date and time. If launch  occurs at the beginning of the launch Nov. 26 launch window, this stage will  last about 21 minutes.On the Way to Mars-- The second  Centaur burn, continuing for nearly 8 minutes (for a launch at the opening of  the Nov. 26 launch window), lofts the spacecraft out of Earth orbit and sends  it toward Mars.Spacecraft Separation--Mars Science  Laboratory will separate from the rocket that boosted it toward Mars at about  44 minutes after launch, if launch occurs at the opening of the Nov. 26 window.  Shortly  after that, the separated Centaur performs its last task, an avoidance maneuver  taking itself out of the spacecraft's flight path to avoid hitting either the  spacecraft or Mars.Sending a Message of Good Health--Once the  spacecraft is in its cruise stage toward Mars, it can begin communicating with  Earth via an antenna station in Canberra, Australia, part of NASA's Deep Space  Network. Engineers expect to hear first contact from the spacecraft at about 55  minutes after launch and assess the spacecraft's health during the subsequent  30 minutes. The spacecraft will arrive at the Red Planet Aug. 6, 2012,  Universal Time (evening of Aug. 5, 2012, PDT).NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena,  Calif., a division of the California Institute of Technology, manages the Mars  Science Laboratory mission. Launch management is the responsibility of NASA's  Launch Services Program at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Atlas V  launch service is provided by United Launch Alliance, Denver.