The launch of NASA's Mars Pathfinder spacecraft aboard a McDonnell Douglas Delta II rocket is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 2, at 2:09:11 a.m. EST. This is a single instantaneous target launch time without a second opportunity on that day. Liftoff will occur from Pad B at Launch Complex 17 on Cape Canaveral Air Station, Fla. There is a 24-day launch opportunity which extends through Dec. 31.
The Mars Pathfinder, built by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., will descend through the Martian atmosphere to land on the planet's surface on July 4, 1997. It will deploy a small instrumented rover to investigate the terrain surrounding the spacecraft. Together, the Mars Pathfinder and rover will investigate the geology and elemental composition of the Martian rocks and soil, the Martian atmosphere and surface weather.
The Mars Pathfinder has completed final checkout and was mated to the Mc Donnell Douglas Delta II rocket on Nov. 21.
A prelaunch news conference is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 30, at 11 a.m. EST in the NASA-KSC News Center auditorium and will be carried live on NASA Television. Participating in the briefing will be:
A post-launch news conference will be held at the NASA-KSC News Center no earlier than two hours after launch to discuss the countdown, launch and current state of health of the Mars Pathfinder spacecraft.
Outside of the NASA News Center, following the prelaunch news conference, news media will be able to photograph and test drive a demonstration model of Mars Pathfinder's small rover.
Those media without permanent accreditation who wish to cover the launch of Delta/Mars Pathfinder including the prelaunch news conference on L-1 day should send a letter of request to the NASA-KSC News Center on news organization letterhead. It should include name and Social Security number or passport number. Letters should be faxed to 407/867-2692 or addressed to:
Mars Pathfinder mission badges may be picked up at the NASA-KSC News Center on Saturday, Nov. 30. On launch day, Mars Pathfinder mission badges will be available at Gate 1 on Cape Canaveral Air Station located on SR 401 prior to departure for Press Site 1.
STS-80 mission badges will be valid for the prelaunch news conference on L-1 day. However, a Delta/Mars Pathfinder mission badge is required for all media covering the launch from Press Site 1 on launch day. For further information on Mars Pathfinder launch accreditation contact Selina Scorah at the NASA-KSC News Center at 407/867-2468.
Media wishing to establish remote cameras at the launch pad should meet at the NASA-KSC News Center at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 1, to be escorted to Launch Complex 17.
The evening of launch, after the mobile service tower has been retracted from around the Delta II rocket at Complex 17, a photo opportunity will be available for the news media. A convoy will depart Gate 1 on Cape Canaveral Air Station located on State Road 401 at 5:45 p.m., Sun. Dec. 1.
Media covering the launch should assemble at the Gate 1 Pass & Identification Building on Cape Canaveral Air Station. The convoy for Press Site 1 will depart at 12:30 a.m. After launch, media may leave via Gate 1 or may convoy under escort to the NASA-KSC News Center for the post-launch press conference.
The NASA News Center codaphone will carry Delta/Mars Pathfinder prelaunch status reports beginning at L-3 days, on Friday, Nov. 29, and may be dialed at 407/867-2525.
NASA Television will carry the prelaunch news conference at 11 a.m. EST on Saturday, Nov. 30. On launch day, Dec. 2, countdown coverage will begin at 12 midnight and conclude after spacecraft separation and signal acquisition through the Deep Space Network's Goldstone tracking station.
The post-launch news conference will not be carried live on NASA Television but will be replayed at 5:30 a.m. EST.
NASA Television is available on Spacenet 2, transponder 5, channel 9 located at 69 degrees West longitude.
Audio only of Delta/Mars Pathfinder activities will be available on the V-3 circuit which may be dialed directly at 407/867-1260. The V-1 and V-2 circuits, 407/867-1220 and 867-1240 will carry live Space Shuttle Columbia mission audio.