Atlas 5 journeys to Cape Canaveral launch pad

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket rolled its seaside launch pad Saturday ahead of the launch of NASA's MAVEN spacecraft heading for Mars.

Riding along rails and powered by a pair of specially-made "trackmobiles," the Atlas 5 and its mobile launch platform completed the 1,800-foot rollout from its 30-story Vertical Integration Facility in about 30 minutes, arriving atop the launch deck at about 10:30 a.m. EST (1530 GMT) Saturday.

Workers planned to connect the rocket with ground electrical, fluid and pneumatic supplies, then take the day off Sunday before coming on console early Monday to begin the countdown.

Liftoff from Cape Canaveral's Complex 41 is set for 1:28 p.m. EST (1828 GMT) at the opening of a two-hour launch window.

Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett