NASA's Mars Science Laboratory Launch Rescheduled for Nov. 26

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The launch of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V carrying NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) is being delayed one day to allow time for the team to remove and replace a flight termination system battery.

The launch is rescheduled for Saturday, Nov. 26 from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The one hour and 43 minute launch window opens at 10:02 a.m. EST.

The rollout of MSL on the Atlas V to the launch pad at Space Launch Complex-41 now will be on Friday, Nov. 25.

The Monday, Nov. 21 schedule of prelaunch tours and media briefing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center will remain unchanged. The rest of the week's briefings and events are being reevaluated, and a new prelaunch schedule will be issued on Monday.

The MSL Curiosity rover has 10 science instruments to search for evidence Mars had environments favorable for microbial life, including the chemical ingredients for life. The unique rover will use a laser to look inside rocks and release their gasses so its spectrometer can analyze and send the data back to Earth.

Allard Beutel
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
allard.beutel@nasa.gov