- Title: USA: Delta II Mars Rocket Launched From Cape Canaveral
- Date: 7th April 2001
- Summary: NASA launched on April 7, 2001 its latest Mars mission from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Florida's Atlantic coast, following the failure of two previous missions to the red planet. After disastrous ends to the Mars Climate Orbiter and Mars Polar Lander missions in 1999, Odyssey lifted-off successfully and entered space on a mission to search Mars for water with the goal of determining if life ever existed there, NASA officials said. The cost of the project is estimated at $297 million. Using an array of infrared, visible-light and gamma ray spectrometers, Odyssey will take closer looks at areas of interest identified by the Mars Global Surveyor, which is still mapping the planet's surface today. The instruments will be looking for the kind of differences in terrain and chemical composition that on Earth proved critical in the planet's development and in the development of life. Evidence of past volcanic activity will also be explored. The search for water and volcanoes goes far beyond the comfort and safety of future astronauts. Scientists believe water, heat and organic materials such as carbon are the conditions necessary for life to evolve.
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- Location: USA CAPE CANAVERAL FLORIDA
- Reuters ID: LDL0012FBWBBJ
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
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- Copyright Holder: Reuters Archive
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