Mars Exploration Rover

[Nicki Mks]

Today, NASA's first Mars Exploration Rover will be launched. In a few minutes, it's name will be announced at NASA.gov.

Grtz,

Nicki

[mikecweb]

Lets hope our pesky Tstorms don't get in the way.

[Nicki Mks]

It's Spirit!

Grtz,

Nicki

[mikecweb]

If it does go off I'll try and get you guys some pics from here in Boca Raton. It'll look small but better than the view from Belgium!!!

[Katamarino]

Do we think this will fair better than the last Mars Rover? I hope so!

[mikecweb]

Oh yeah!!! We got Riddle people working on this one.

[Nicki Mks]

16:27 UTC: launch has been postponed for 24 hours because of bad weather...

Grtz,

Nicki

[GloBaLeXpResS]

Britain's Mars Rover, known as Beagle 2 is still well into its cruise and should touch down on Mars early morning Christmas Day.

[Nicki Mks]

And it's a no-go again... Next try: 6/10.

Grtz,

Nicki

[screaming_emu]

Oh yeah!!! We got Riddle people working on this one.

And it's a no-go again... Next try: 6/10.

Coincidence....I think not

[mikecweb]

Yeah we produce the T-storms too!!

[screaming_emu]

Yeah we produce the T-storms too!!

I'm actually taking a course next fall on weather modification. Maybe they'll teach me how to do that

[mikecweb]

70% chance for launch today.
Keep them fingers crossed.

[Nicki Mks]

We are at T-1:30 and go for launch!

Grtz,

Nicki

[Samurai 777]

I hope that Spirit and Beagle 2 fare better than the Polar Lander did.

But it's a hell of a decision in the first place by NASA to put a major launch base right in the middle of one of the most thunderstorm-prone regions in the United States, namely Central Florida! (Parts of Florida average about 120 t-storm days per year!) There are times when I believe they should've moved most launch ops, including the Space Shuttle to Vandenburg AFB in California or somewhere lightning and thunderstorms are not so common - and this is one of them.