NASA Pushes Back Mars Rover Launch

NASA has decided to push back the launch of its first Mars Rover this summer to spend more time doing engineering reviews - at least three days, making the launch date no earlier than June 8. If all goes well, the first rover, MER-A will lift off on board a Delta 2 rocket and arrive at Mars on January 4, 2004. The second, MER-B will launch a few days later, and arrive on January 25. When they arrive at Mars, the twin rovers will explore the surface of the Red Planet, searching for past conditions that may have supported life.