Spaceflight Now | Delta Launch Report | Photo gallery: Delta rocket launches Mars lander

Destination Mars

		Mission: Phoenix lander Launch: Aug. 4, 2007 Launch times: 5:26 and 6:02 a.m. EDT Site: Pad 17A, Cape Canaveral AFS, Florida Rocket: Delta 2 (7925) Landing: May 25, 2008 Preview story Mission Status Center Daily launch windows Launch events timeline Ground track map Phoenix science goals Phoenix instruments Delta 2 rocket info The pre-launch flow Launch Complex 17 Our Delta archive

Spaceflight Now +

		Premium video content for our Spaceflight Now Plus subscribers. Launch of Phoenix The Phoenix lander bound for the northern plains of Mars is launched atop a Delta 2 rocket from Cape Canaveral. Full coverage Phoenix animation Project officials narrate animation of Phoenix's launch from Earth, arrival at Mars, touchdown using landing rockets and the craft's robot arm and science gear in action. Play Phoenix to the pad The Phoenix lander bound for Mars is hauled to Cape Canaveral's pad 17A on July 23 for installation atop the Delta 2 rocket that will propel the craft on its cruise from Earth to Mars. Part 1 \| Part 2 Dawn waits for date The Dawn spacecraft is returned to a processing facility to await a new launch date. The mission was delayed from July to September, prompting the craft's removal from the Delta rocket at pad 17B. Part 1 \| Part 2 Become a subscriber More video

Photo gallery: Delta rocket launches Mars lander

These timelapse images of the United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket sending NASA's Phoenix lander on a 420-million-mile trek from Earth to Mars.

The first image shows the initial liftoff from Cape Canaveral's pad 17A with the rocket's kerosene-fueled main engine and solid-propellant motors firing for the 5:26 a.m. launch.

The second photo was taken as the Delta soared downrange, nearing the end of the first stage firing. The burned out solid boosters can be seen falling toward the ocean following their jettison. Phoenix's destination -- Mars -- is the bright orange point of light near the top of the image, with the Pleiades star cluster seen to the left.

Photos by Chris Miller/Spaceflight Now

Larger version here
Credit: Chris Miller/Spaceflight Now

Larger version here.
Credit: Chris Miller/Spaceflight Now

NEXT PHOTOS -->

Video coverage for subscribers only:
VIDEO: PHOENIX LAUNCHES! PLAY
VIDEO: POST-FLIGHT COMMENTS FROM LAUNCH MANAGER PLAY
VIDEO: WIDE-SCREEN FROM PATRICK AFB CAMERA PLAY
VIDEO: TRACKER FOLLOWS ROCKET TO MECO PLAY
VIDEO: LAUNCH AS SEEN FROM THE PRESS SITE PLAY
VIDEO: PAD'S MOBILE GANTRY ROLLED BACK FOR LAUNCH PLAY
VIDEO: NARRATED HIGHLIGHTS OF PHOENIX CAMPAIGN PLAY
VIDEO: NARRATED HIGHLIGHTS OF ROCKET CAMPAIGN PLAY
VIDEO: THE PRE-LAUNCH NEWS CONFERENCE PLAY
VIDEO: OVERVIEW OF PHOENIX MISSION TO MARS PLAY
VIDEO: ANIMATION OF PHOENIX WITH NARRATION PLAY
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Ares 1-X Patch

The official embroidered patch for the Ares 1-X rocket test flight, is available for purchase.

U.S. STORE

WORLDWIDE STORE

Apollo Collage

This beautiful one piece set features the Apollo program emblem surrounded by the individual mission logos.

U.S. STORE

Expedition 21

The official embroidered patch for the International Space Station Expedition 21 crew is now available from our stores.

U.S. STORE

WORLDWIDE STORE

Hubble Patch

The official embroidered patch for mission STS-125, the space shuttle's last planned service call to the Hubble Space Telescope, is available for purchase.

U.S. STORE

WORLDWIDE STORE

MISSION STATUS CENTER

INDEX | PLUS | NEWS ARCHIVE | LAUNCH SCHEDULE
ASTRONOMY NOW | STORE

ADVERTISE