MAVEN Launch Preps on Schedule

MAVEN launch preparations remain on schedule and have continued to go well since spacecraft processing resumed earlier this month. On Tuesday, Oct. 22, MAVEN is slated for a spin test without propellant aboard.

Once complete, the spacecraft will be prepared for fueling.

The Atlas V rocket payload fairing will be moved into the clean room on Oct. 21 in preparation for MAVEN's encapsulation beginning in early November.

The Atlas booster was hoisted into the vertical integration facility at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex 41 on Oct. 11, and the Centaur upper stage was hoisted atop the Atlas the following Monday.

United Launch Alliance has completed powering of the stacked vehicle for checkout. The Combined Systems Test, an electrical test of the rocket, is scheduled for Oct. 22.

The launch of MAVEN is scheduled for Nov. 18 at 1:28 p.m. EST.