Mars Odyssey/ Delta II Status Report 6 Apr 2001 11:0 AM EDT

Preparations continue on schedule for the launch of NASA’s 2001 Mars
Odyssey aboard a Delta II launch vehicle on Saturday, April 7, at
11:02:22 a.m. EDT. Launch will occur from complex 17 at the Cape
Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.

The weather forecast continues to indicate less than a 5 percent
chance of weather violation for Saturday’s launch attempt. At launch
time the visibility is expected to be at least 10 miles; winds from
the southeast at 10 peaking to 15 knots; temperature 81 degrees F.
and relative humidity at 60 percent.

On Pad A at Space Launch Complex 17, a final spacecraft readiness
test will be conducted beginning at 1 p.m. this afternoon. Tonight
at 7 p.m. the protective covers will be removed from over the
science instruments, and the access doors on the nose fairing of the
Delta vehicle will be closed and sealed for flight. The mobile
service tower, or gantry, will be pulled back from around the launch
vehicle at 4 a.m., beginning the terminal countdown activities.

Live coverage on NASA Television of the Mars Odyssey launch will
begin at 9:30 a.m. EDT on Saturday, April 7.