Lockheed Martin to make launch vehicle for the Mars Science Lab mission for NASA

Lockheed Martin to make launch vehicle for the Mars Science Lab mission for NASA

US space agency NASA has selected Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services to develop the launch vehicle for the Mars Science Lab mission.

This deal would see Lockheed Martin develop and deliver an Atlas V rocket, which would carry the large rover to the red planet during the fall of 2009.

This six-wheeled rover will explore Mars for two years and would be examining sites to identify where the building blocks for life may exist.

This launch service would be built at a cost of $194.7 million including the NASA launch services and mission integration requirements.

Most of the work on this project would be done at the Lockheed Martin’s San Diego facility. The work on Atlas V booster propellant tank’s production will be conducted at Lockheed’s facility in Waterton, Colorado.