MSL Spacecraft Mars Bound

The Mars Science Laboratory spacecraft separates and heads on its way to Mars.

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Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• ksc
• 112611
• msl
• sep

[ArmyFtBall]

#OCCUPY_MARS

[Deustoman]

This is one of the most impressive videos I have seen in years! Go MSL Go!

[MrJWSII]

For all those lay people who want to know what they are looking at, the spacecraft spinning and moving away is going to Mars. It just separated from the main stage of the rocket that got it going fast and on its way. It appears that the spacecraft is moving slowly but that is only because it is moving relative to the main stage, both of which are traveling over 20,000 mph. Fast? It will take 9 months to reach Mars, 2 million miles per day, Earth to Mars in this trajectory is 350 million miles.

[MCSKeelar]

@latinluigi Last I heard it was estimated to land on Mars August 4th 2012.

[farco27]

I hope that mission will last as long as Spirit/Opportunity, congrats to the MSL team !

[propaghandi2]

Now the wait is killing me! Fast forward please!

[deoxynchro]

does it travel at this speed going to mars?

[deoxynchro]

@latinluigi about 8 1/2months i think. :D

[oxicodon2]

@latinluigi 8 months

[latinluigi]

When do they estimate it will get to and touchdown on mars?

[XxXskullXxX1346]

Have a safe journey :)

[odi12]

GOOD LUCK MSL