GRAIL Set to Go, But Weather a Problem
NASA’s next robotic lunar exploration mission, GRAIL, is ready for launch on Thursday, but weather may delay the launch.
The twin GRAIL spacecraft will orbit the Moon, making a detailed map of the lunar gravity field that in turn will tell scientists about the composition of the Moon’s interior. A science briefing on the mission will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, September 7 at 10:00 am EDT at Kennedy Space Center, FL. It will be aired on NASA TV.
The Delta II launch is scheduled for September 8 at 8:37 am EDT, with a second opportunity at 9:16 am EDT. At the moment, the forecast is only 40 percent favorable for a launch that day due to thunderstorms nearby. They can try again on Friday and Saturday before needing to take a break for crew rest time. Launch opportunities extend through October 19.
This is the last scheduled launch of a Delta II from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, adjacent to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
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