KSC Public Affairs Contact: George Diller (fax 407-867-2692)
E-mail: George.Diller-1@ksc.nasa.gov  

Preparation continues on schedule for the launch of NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey aboard a Delta II launch vehicle on Saturday, April 7, at 11:02:22 a.m. EDT. Launch will occur from complex 17 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL

The weather forecast continues to indicate less than a 5 percent chance of weather violation for Saturday's launch attempt. At launch time the visibility is expected to be at least 10 miles; winds from the southeast at 10 peaking to 15 knots; temperature 81 degrees F. and relative humidity at 60 percent.

On Pad A at Space Launch Complex 17, a final spacecraft readiness test will be conducted beginning at 1 p.m. this afternoon. Tonight at 7 p.m. the protective covers will be removed from over the science instruments, and the access doors on the nose fairing of the Delta vehicle will be closed and sealed for flight. The mobile service tower, or gantry, will be pulled back from around the launch vehicle at 4 a.m., beginning the terminal countdown activities.

Live coverage on NASA television of the Mars Odyssey launch will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 7.