BY JUSTIN RAY

Follow the countdown and launch of a Boeing Delta 2 rocket with NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft bound for the Red Planet. Reload this page for the very latest on the mission.


Video vault
The Boeing Delta 2 rocket lifts off from pad 17A carrying carrying NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft bound for the Red Planet.
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A video camera mounted on the exterior of the Delta 2 rocket's second stage shows the view of liftoff and the first minute of flight through separation of the six ground-lit solid rocket motors.
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Onboard camera shows the spent air-lit solid rocket boosters being jettisoned and the first stage main engine still firing. A steering turn then takes place as the rocket heads on its northeast trajectory.
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Onboard video camera shows the spent first stage separating, second stage engine start and fairing jettison.
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A second onboard camera -- this one pointed up -- shows the rocket's nose cone, separating from the vehicle to reveal Mars Odyssey.
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Upward-facing camera shows small thrusters firing to spin up the third stage and attached Mars Odyssey. The third stage then separates from the second stage.
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Flight Data File
Vehicle: Delta 2 (7925)
Payload: 2001 Mars Odyssey
Launch date: April 7, 2001
Launch times: 11:02 a.m. EDT or 11:32 a.m. EDT
Launch site: SLC-17A, Cape Canaveral, Fla.

Pre-launch briefing
Launch windows - See the daily launch times available for Mars Odyssey to lift off over the 20-day planetary alignment.

Launch timeline No. 1 - Chart with times and descriptions of events to occur during the launch first daily opportunity is used.

Launch timeline No. 2 - Chart with times and descriptions of events to occur during the launch second daily opportunity is used.

Ground track - Trace the Delta rocket's trek during launch.

Restricted zone - Map outlining the Launch Hazard Area where mariners should remain clear for the liftoff.

Delta 2 rocket - Overview of the Delta 2 7925-model rocket used to launch Mars Odyssey.

2001 Mars Odyssey - Technical look at the spacecraft and its systems.

Mission science - Overview of the scientific objectives of Mars Odyssey.

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