MAVEN cleared for launch to Mars on Monday

The MAVEN spacecraft heading for Mars has gotten clearance for launch.

MAVEN ‘Go’ to Proceed Toward Monday Launch

A Launch Readiness Review ended this morning with NASA and contractor managers giving MAVEN the “go” for launch at 1:28 p.m. EST on Monday, Nov. 18, from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Today’s review is the final mission review for MAVEN and its ride into space, the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. The Atlas V was also cleared for the rollout to the launch pad Saturday. Teams have not encountered any significant technical issues or concerns for launch. Forecasters from the U.S. Air Force’s 45th Weather Squadron predict a 60 percent chance of favorable conditions during the two-hour launch window.

The MAVEN Launch Blog will provide the latest updates on the countdown.

This video outlines the MAVEN science mission:

Here is a time lapse showing the preparation of the MAVEN spacecraft: