ULA's Atlas V rocket selected to launch Mars 2020 mission

Mission scheduled to launch in summer 2020

Courtesy: United Launch Alliance.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – United Launch Alliance's Atlas V vehicle has been selected by NASA's Launch Services Program to launch Mars 2020, a robotic science rover.

The award resulted from a competitive procurement under the NASA Launch Services contract, ULA officials said.

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"We are honored that NASA has selected ULA to provide another robotic science rover to Mars on this tremendously exciting mission," said Laura Maginnis, ULA's vice president of custom services. "Our launch vehicles have a rich heritage with Mars, supporting 17 successful missions over more than 50 years. ULA and our heritage rockets have launched every U.S. spacecraft to the red planet, including Mars Science Lab, as well as the Spirit and Opportunity rovers."

ULA officials said the Mars 2020 mission is scheduled to launch in summer 2020 from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

The mission will launch aboard an Atlas V 541 vehicle, which includes a 5-meter diameter payload fairing and four solid rocket motors, ULA said.

"With 64 successful missions spanning more than a decade of operational service, the commercially developed Atlas V is uniquely qualified to provide the best value launch service for these critical science missions," said ULA CEO and president Tory Bruno.

ULA said the Mars 2020 rover mission is part of NASA's Mars Exploration Program, which is a long-term effort of robotic exploration of the red planet, and will address high-priority science goals for Mars exploration, including key questions about the potential for life on Mars.

ULA will also launch NASA's Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport (InSight) mission to Mars in May 2018, officials said.


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