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Power-on testing continues. On June 6, the spacecraft's flight batteries were installed and activated. Autonomous self-testing was completed June 14. Installation of the thermal blankets is under way. The Centaur upper stage for the Atlas V arrived at CCAFS on June 6. On June 17, it will be transported to the Vertical Integration Facility (VIF) at SLC- 41 and hoisted atop the Atlas stage to begin checkout. A countdown wet dress rehearsal with the launch vehicle fully fueled is scheduled in early July. The MRO will be transported from the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center to the VIF at SLC-41 in late July. It will join the Atlas V for the final phase of launch preparations. The spacecraft will undergo a functional test and a final week of integrated testing and closeouts. Related Links SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express 
Approaching Mars
Huntsville AL (SPX) May 30, 2005Earth is racing toward Mars at a speed of 23,500 mph, which means the red planet is getting bigger and brighter by the minute. In October, when the two planets are closest together, Mars will outshine everything in the night sky except Venus and the Moon. (You're another 50 miles closer: keep reading!) |
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