
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the first stage of the Atlas V rocket is raised to a vertical position for lifting into the launch service tower and mated with the second stage, the Centaur. Designated AV-007, the Atlas V is the launch vehicle for the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). The MRO is designed for a series of global mapping, regional survey and targeted observations from a near-polar, low-altitude Mars orbit. These observations will be unprecedented in terms of the spatial resolution and coverage achieved by the orbiter’s instruments as they observe the atmosphere and surface of Mars while probing its shallow subsurface as part of a “follow the water” strategy. The orbiter is in KSC’s Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility for final assembly and testing. The launch window begins Aug. 10.
Most NASA images are in the public domain and free to use. Credit NASA as the source. Check NASA's media usage guidelines for details. Images featuring identifiable individuals may require additional permissions.
NASA ID
05pd0969
Date Created
May 6, 2005
Center
KSC
Media Type
image
Photographer
NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Download this image in multiple resolutions. All NASA media are free for public use.
Large
1920px