Opportunity Blasts Off for Mars

NASA’s second Mars Exploration Rover, Opportunity, successfully lifted off from Florida early Tuesday morning after several delays. The launch was halted only seven seconds away from liftoff during the first window because of a problem with a valve on the rocket, but during the second window at 0318 GMT (11:18 pm EDT Monday) the Delta II successfully blasted off. Opportunity will reach Mars on January 25.