Genesis Next Planned Launch Opportunity Aug. 12

Delta rocket similar to one for Genesis launch

       The launch of NASA's Genesis spacecraft aboard a Delta II rocket was postponed again today because of unacceptable weather conditions. Launch is now scheduled to occur at 12:08:13 p.m. EDT (9:08:13 a.m. PDT) on Sunday, Aug.12.

       Mission managers today officially reserved Aug. 12 and 13 on the Eastern Range and will consider any earlier opportunities that become available. The near-term Genesis launch period extends to Aug. 15. The Delta II rocket and Genesis spacecraft remain in excellent health.

       Genesis will be NASA's first sample return mission of this millennium, when it captures a piece of the Sun and returns to Earth. It will travel to a point where the Sun and Earth gravities are balanced, open its collector arrays and capture elements in the solar wind. The samples will help scientists learn about the beginnings of our solar system.