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Launch of Phoenix

The Phoenix lander bound for the northern plains of Mars is launched atop a Delta 2 rocket from Cape Canaveral.

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Phoenix animation

Project officials narrate animation of Phoenix's launch from Earth, arrival at Mars, touchdown using landing rockets and the craft's robot arm and science gear in action.

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Phoenix to the pad

The Phoenix lander bound for Mars is hauled to Cape Canaveral's pad 17A on July 23 for installation atop the Delta 2 rocket that will propel the craft on its cruise from Earth to Mars.

 Part 1 | Part 2

Dawn waits for date

The Dawn spacecraft is returned to a processing facility to await a new launch date. The mission was delayed from July to September, prompting the craft's removal from the Delta rocket at pad 17B.

 Part 1 | Part 2

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Photo gallery: Delta rocket launches Mars lander

These timelapse images of the United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket sending NASA's Phoenix lander on a 420-million-mile trek from Earth to Mars.

The first image shows the initial liftoff from Cape Canaveral's pad 17A with the rocket's kerosene-fueled main engine and solid-propellant motors firing for the 5:26 a.m. launch.

The second photo was taken as the Delta soared downrange, nearing the end of the first stage firing. The burned out solid boosters can be seen falling toward the ocean following their jettison. Phoenix's destination -- Mars -- is the bright orange point of light near the top of the image, with the Pleiades star cluster seen to the left.

Photos by Chris Miller/Spaceflight Now


Larger version here
Credit: Chris Miller/Spaceflight Now

 


Larger version here.
Credit: Chris Miller/Spaceflight Now

 

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Video coverage for subscribers only:
VIDEO: PHOENIX LAUNCHES! PLAY
VIDEO: POST-FLIGHT COMMENTS FROM LAUNCH MANAGER PLAY
VIDEO: WIDE-SCREEN FROM PATRICK AFB CAMERA PLAY
VIDEO: TRACKER FOLLOWS ROCKET TO MECO PLAY
VIDEO: LAUNCH AS SEEN FROM THE PRESS SITE PLAY
VIDEO: PAD'S MOBILE GANTRY ROLLED BACK FOR LAUNCH PLAY
VIDEO: NARRATED HIGHLIGHTS OF PHOENIX CAMPAIGN PLAY
VIDEO: NARRATED HIGHLIGHTS OF ROCKET CAMPAIGN PLAY
VIDEO: THE PRE-LAUNCH NEWS CONFERENCE PLAY
VIDEO: OVERVIEW OF PHOENIX MISSION TO MARS PLAY
VIDEO: ANIMATION OF PHOENIX WITH NARRATION PLAY
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