NASA are one step closer to a July 7th launch of Opportunity, as work on replacing a faulty battery progresses in this update from Kennedy Space Center:
The second of two Mars Exploration Rovers, Opportunity, is rescheduled for launch Monday, July 7 at 10:35:23 p.m. EDT. Liftoff will occur aboard the Boeing Delta II Heavy launch vehicle from Pad B at Space Launch Complex 17 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. A second launch opportunity exists at 11:18:15 p.m. EDT, if necessary. Should launch be delayed by 24 hours, two launch times are also available on Tuesday at 10:27:46 p.m. and 11:10:44 p.m. EDT. The window of the planetary launch period extends through July 15.Mission managers reported at 6 p.m. today that everything is on track to replace a battery with a failed cell associated with a component of the launch vehicle's flight termination system. Based on an expected successful installation and evaluation of the new battery tonight and tomorrow morning, mission managers were able to schedule Monday's launch attempt.
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