MSL Launch is Go
25 Nov 2011, 18:47 UTC
Tomorrow looks to be good for the launch of the Mars Science Laboratory/the rover Curiosity.
MSL on the pad. Click for larger and refresh. Credit: NASA
Launch Date/Time: November 26, 2011 / 10:26 am EST (window until 11:45 am EST).
Chance of Weather Delay at scheduled launch time: 30 percent.
The NOAA forecast: Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. East wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Launch coverage at 07:30 am EST which can be seen at NASA-TV (Direct TV chan 289) and streamed live on Ustream.
You should also go to the NASA Tweetup, that’s a lot of fun to check out.
The expected timeline after launch tomorrow from the NASA website:
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 ...




