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Mars orbiter to gather huge amount of data

CAPE CANAVERAL (FLORIDA): A spacecraft blasted off on Friday into a golden early morning sky, beginning a mission to Mars to gather more data on the Red Planet than all combined previous missions.

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter lifted off on an Atlas V rocket on a seven-month journey to Mars.

``Surveying for the deepest insights into the mysterious evolution of Mars!'' NASA commentator George Diller said after liftoff.

The launch went flawlessly. The booster rocket shut down and dropped off into the Atlantic minutes after liftoff, and the second-stage rocket separated less than an hour later, leading workers at the launch control centre to break into applause. A short time later, two solar panels that will provide power during the voyage unfolded from the orbiter.

``It couldn't have been any smoother,'' said launch manager Chuck Dovale. The launch came just three days after space shuttle Discovery completed its mission.

Circling the planet for at least four years, the orbiter is to provide unparalleled information on Mars' weather, climate and geology, which could aid possible future human exploration of the Red Planet.

The $720-million mission is divided into two parts.

During its first two years, the orbiter will help build on NASA's knowledge of the history of ice on the planet.

The planet is cold and dry with large caps of frozen water at its poles. But scientists think it was a wetter and possibly warmer place eons ago. — AP

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