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Boeing Delta 2 Sends First of Pair of RoversTo Mars

Posted by michael on from the fore! dept.

brandido writes "Space.com is reporting that NASA has successfully launched the first of its pair of new rovers, recently named Spirit, on its trek to Mars. In addition, the article reports that "Spirit separated from the Delta 2's upper stage having already achieved Earth escape velocity." Looks like we are on our way, boys and girls."

3 of 37 comments (clear)

  1. Yep, we saw it... by JCMay · · Score: 4, Interesting

    About an hour before the scheduled launch, there was an announcement on the radio. I set an alarm in my Visor.

    The alarm went off and I went outside. Like any launch, several people had gathered around the parking lot to view the event. My alarm was a few minutes early; can't set an alarm for 1:58 PM :)

    Rocket appeared in the north and leaving a white pillar of smoke behind its brilliant yellow flame. Rising much faster than a shuttle, it arced gracefully to the east and out over the ocean. It took about two minutes before the solid rockets burt out and it became invisible in the afternoon sky.

    1. Re:Yep, we saw it... by DoraLives · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Watched it go from the top of the Cocoa Beach Surf Company parking garage. Haze rendered the gantry invisible (odd, considering that it was clearly visible earlier in the morning from farther away down at PAFB where I was surfing [Crystal went by on her longboard on one wave and MOONED me. Funnier'n hell!]) but just as soon as they lit the solids, it was VERY obvious that a shot was on. Nominal everything all the way up and out using my Mark I eyeballs. Good loud rumble. Nice to see we're on our way. Cross your fingers and hope the next one goes up just as cleanly.

      --
      Is it fascism yet?
  2. More Info on CNN by brandido · · Score: 4, Interesting

    This story is also discussed on CNN.com Science & Space with a more interesting title: Eight-eyed robot blasts off for Mars. Basically covers the same information, but mentions a few more details about the probe: "A NASA robot packed with eight cameras, geology instruments and super-rugged wheels roared into space on Tuesday," It also refers to the rovers as "druids" â" is this a Star Wars reference or what? Finally, it mentions the fact that, according to Nagin Cox of JPL "Mars is closer to the Earth than it has been in 73,000 years. "

    --
    First Falcon-1 to orbit, then Falcon-9. Then I can die a happy man.