MAVEN’s launch team began today’s countdown on schedule at 6:28 a.m. EST. Managers from NASA and United Launch Alliance are overseeing today’s preparations and launch of the MAVEN spacecraft to Mars atop an Atlas V-401 and Centaur upper stage. Liftoff remains on schedule for 1:28 p.m. EST, the start of a 2-hour launch window.
Follow the continuous countdown coverage on the NASA MAVEN Launch Blog, beginning at 11 a.m. EST. NASA TV’s coverage begins at the same time at www.nasa.gov/ntv
Forecasters from the U.S. Air Force 45th Weather Squadron predict a 60 percent chance for favorable weather during a two-hour launch window. The primary concerns are for cumulus clouds, disturbed weather and thick clouds in the vicinity of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41.
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