[meteorite-list] MSL Update - November 10, 2011

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:03:49 -0800 (PST)
Message-ID: <201111102103.pAAL3nIU010928_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

Nov. 10, 2011

George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
george.h.diller at nasa.gov

STATUS REPORT: ELV-111011

EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT

Spacecraft: Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity)
Launch Vehicle: Atlas V-541 (AV-028)
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Launch Pad: Space Launch Complex 41
Launch Date: Nov. 25, 2011
Launch Time: 10:25 a.m. EST

In the Vertical Integration Facility at Launch Complex 41, the Mars
Science Laboratory with the Curiosity rover is atop the Atlas V
rocket. The "integrated systems" test which encompasses the final
integrated avionics systems testing with the spacecraft prior to
launch has been successfully completed. An MSL flight system
"baseline test" also has been performed. This was a state of health
check for the rover, descent stage, cruise stage, science instruments
and cameras.

The Flight Readiness Review will be held on Nov. 18. Closeouts of the
spacecraft and the Atlas V fairing are scheduled to follow on Nov.
19.

Curiosity has 10 science instruments to search for evidence about
whether Mars has 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 the gasses so that its
spectrometer can analyze and send the data back to Earth.

Previous status reports are available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/status/index.html
        
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Received on Thu 10 Nov 2011 04:03:49 PM PST