BY JUSTIN RAY

Follow the countdown and launch of the Boeing Delta 2 rocket with NASA's CONTOUR spacecraft. Reload this page for the very latest on the mission.

Spaceflight Now Plus
Video coverage for subscribers only:
   VIDEO: LIVE NASA TV COVERAGE OF CONTOUR'S LAUNCH QT or RV
   VIDEO: CLOSE-UP VIEW OF ENGINE IGNITION QT or RV
   VIDEO: SPECTACULAR ANGLE FROM CAMERA ON TOWER QT or RV
   VIDEO: TRACKING CAMERA VIEW FROM PATRICK AFB QT or RV
   VIDEO: PRESS SITE VIEW OF THE LIFTOFF QT or RV
   VIDEO: MOBILE TOWER ROLLED BACK FOR LAUNCH QT or RV
   VIDEO: FOOTAGE OF DELTA ROCKET PROCESSING QT or RV
   VIDEO: PRE-LAUNCH NEWS CONFERENCE QT or RV
   VIDEO: PRE-LAUNCH SCIENCE BRIEFING QT or RV
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Pre-launch briefing
Launch timeline - Chart with times and descriptions of events to occur during the launch.

Launch windows - See the daily launch opportunities for CONTOUR.

Orbit trace - Maps showing the ground track for the launch.

CONTOUR - Technical look at the spacecraft and its systems.

Science goals - The science of CONTOUR aims at a closer look at comet diversity.

Delta 2 rocket - Overview of the Delta 2 7425-model rocket used in this launch.

SLC-17 - The launch complex where Delta rockets fly from Cape Canaveral.

Delta manufacturing - Map of where the parts for Delta 2 rockets are made.

Hardware flow - Illustration of how Delta 2s come together at the Cape.

Delta directory - See our coverage of preview Delta rocket flights.

Flight Data File
Vehicle: Delta 2 (7425-9.5)
Payload: CONTOUR
Launch date: July 3, 2002
Launch time: 2:47:41 a.m. EDT (0647:41 GMT)
Launch site: SLC-17A, Cape Canaveral, Florida
Satellite broadcast: GE-2, Transponder 9, C-band

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