Author Topic: NASA delays Mars rover launch again with 2 weeks left to fly  (Read 387 times)

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Online Elderberry

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PBS by Marcia Dunn 7/1/2020

NASA has delayed the launch of its newest Mars rover yet again — to the end of July at the earliest — this time for a rocket issue.

If the Perseverance rover isn’t on its way by mid-August, it will have to wait until 2022 when Earth and Mars are back in proper alignment, costing NASA close to $500 million for the delay alone.

Managers are now targeting no earlier than July 30 for a liftoff from Cape Canaveral, eating up half of the monthlong launch window. The good news is that NASA is trying to eke out more time in this summer’s launch opportunity, now lasting until at least Aug. 15. The chance to fly to Mars comes up only every 26 months.

More: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/nasa-delays-mars-rover-launch-again-with-2-weeks-left-to-fly