MAVEN within the launch shroud on its way to the assembly building at Complex 41
MAVEN – One who understands.
If you have been following this blog you know that I have a connection to the MAVEN mission to Mars. I have been trying to provide background and updates on the project in preparation for the launch window which opens next Monday, Nov. 18. Shortly after my last post, I received and e-mail from the project team with photos from the Complex 41 Vertical Integration Building. Don’t you just love these scientific terms? What in means is they were putting a spacecraft together. So here are some pics showing MAVEN being lifted to the top of the Atlas V 304 launch vehicle. All pictures are used with permission and are courtesy of NASA and the Lockheed Martin, MAVEN project team.
MAVEN arrives at the assembly building at Complex 41
That’s the Atlas V launch vehicle already in the building. Note the people standing next to the truck. This is not a small vehicle.
- Lowering the sling to take MAVEN for a ride to the top
MAVEN On its way up
Here’s a better view of the Atlas V launch vehicle in the background.
MAVEN almost to the top
MAVEN Settling in place
Now that is a
Looooooong way down!
The doors are closing.
This is where MAVEN will stay until it’s time to move to the launch pad.
Launch time is scheduled for 11/18/13 1:28 EST.
T minus 91 hours!
Tales From The Hare 
4amWriter
November 15, 2013 at 7:22 am
Very exciting. And how cool for you to be on the email list of the “project team.” 🙂
Dennis Langley
November 15, 2013 at 7:30 am
This has been most unexpected and exciting. Some of the team have been working on this for 10 years. I can only guess how they must be feeling.
Matthew Wright
November 15, 2013 at 11:19 pm
It’s an awesome mission – as all these things do, pushing the limits of science and engineering. And totally cool that you’re right in there. Those folks who’ve been a decade on the job – I can imagine their sense of achievement at this. Brings home just how much work and dedication really goes into these projects. Just fantastic. Thank you for sharing with us! Wonderful stuff.
Dennis Langley
November 19, 2013 at 7:22 pm
Sorry for the late response but as you have seen from some of my tweets, I’ve been experiencing a once in a lifetime event. Having spent several days in close proximity to the team, meeting some of them, talking to their families, etc. I have not only had a wonderful experience but, I have been reevaluating my thoughts on the space program, politics, humanity, and some of the basic premises of the sci-fi genre. I’m planning three blog posts to discuss the launch, my visit at the Kennedy Space Center, and then my overall feelings and thoughts on my ‘MAVEN” experience.
Pete Denton
December 2, 2013 at 11:50 am
Fascinating!