Mars Science Lab Launch Windows

The Mars Science Laboratory's planetary launch period opens Nov. 25 and extends through Dec. 18, providing 24 days for the Atlas 5 rocket to blast off with the Curiosity rover.

Times listed in Eastern Standard Time (GMT-5)

Launch Date.....Window Open...Window Close...Window Duration

Nov. 25..........10:25 a.m.....12:08 p.m.......1hr 43min

Nov. 26..........10:02 a.m.....11:45 a.m.......1hr 43min

Nov. 27...........9:41 a.m.....11:24 a.m.......1hr 43min

Nov. 28...........9:19 a.m.....10:59 a.m.......1hr 40min

Nov. 29...........9:03 a.m.....10:43 a.m.......1hr 40min

Nov. 30...........8:48 a.m.....10:33 a.m.......1hr 45min

Dec. 1............8:35 a.m.....10:23 a.m.......1hr 48min

Dec. 2............8:22 a.m.....10:10 a.m.......1hr 48min

Dec. 3............8:11 a.m......9:59 a.m.......1hr 48min

Dec. 4............8:00 a.m......9:48 a.m.......1hr 48min

Dec. 5............7:50 a.m......9:37 a.m.......1hr 47min

Dec. 6............7:40 a.m......9:27 a.m.......1hr 47min

Dec. 7............7:31 a.m......9:16 a.m.......1hr 45min

Dec. 8............7:23 a.m......9:08 a.m.......1hr 45min

Dec. 9............7:15 a.m......8:57 a.m.......1hr 42min

Dec. 10...........7:12 a.m......8:49 a.m.......1hr 37min

Dec. 11...........7:05 a.m......8:40 a.m.......1hr 35min

Dec. 12...........7:03 a.m......8:38 a.m.......1hr 35min

Dec. 13...........6:47 a.m......8:21 a.m.......1hr 34min

Dec. 14...........6:46 a.m......8:13 a.m.......1hr 27min

Dec. 15...........6:45 a.m......8:03 a.m.......1hr 18min

Dec. 16...........6:43 a.m......7:53 a.m.......1hr 10min

Dec. 17...........6:42 a.m......7:42 a.m.......1hr 00min

Dec. 18...........6:46 a.m......7:30 a.m.......0hr 44min