George Diller                                                                          June 21, 2003 
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
(Phone: 321/867-2468)

KSC Release No. 48-03

The Flight Readiness Review was held today for the MER-B launch of the “Opportunity” Mars Exploration Rover. Afterward, a decision was made to postpone the launch by at least a couple of days.

Based on routine post-test inspections, the launch team has elected to remove and replace a band of protective cork insulation on the Delta first stage. The location is below the forward attach points of the strap-on solid rocket boosters. Inspections of a second band located higher on the first stage are being performed. 

The time necessary to do this work means a rescheduling of the launch to no earlier than Saturday, June 28 at 11:56:16 p.m. EDT. A firm date will be established on Monday after the engineering team reconvenes.

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