UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

Delta II | Spirit Rover

SUCCESS Delta II →
Jun 10, 2003 at 17:58 UTC
Mars Orbit Planetary Science Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA 100% success
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Live Orbit
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Mission Control3D trajectory · Live telemetry · AI narrator · Booster tracking
PADSpace Launch Complex 17A
SITECape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA →
ORBITMars Orbit
TYPEPlanetary Science

Spirit, also known as MER-A, is a robotic rover on Mars, active from 2004 to 2010. It landed successfully within the impact crater Gusev on Mars at 04:35 Ground UTC on January 4, 2004, three weeks before its twin, Opportunity (MER-B), which landed on the other side of the planet. The rover became stuck in a “sand trap” in late 2009 at an angle that hampered recharging of its batteries; its last communication with Earth was sent on March 22, 2010.

VEHICLE
Delta II
MISSION
Spirit Rover
MISSION TYPE
Planetary Science
TARGET ORBIT
Mars Orbit
COUNTRY
USA
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: a9684903-9ff2-4b1f-8639-1cc6e6b77166
Reported date: Jun 10, 2003 at 17:58 UTC
Last synced: 13 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
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MANUFACTURER
United Launch Alliance
VARIANT
7925-9.5
FLIGHTS
26
SUCCESSES
26
SUCCESS RATE
100%

Delta II is an American space launch system developed by McDonnell Douglas, now part of the Delta rocket family operated by United Launch Alliance. With more than 150 missions and a nearly perfect track record, Delta II has established itself as one of the most successful orbital launch systems.

When is the Delta II | Spirit Rover launch?
The Delta II | Spirit Rover is scheduled for Tuesday, June 10, 2003 at 5:58 PM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for Spirit Rover?
The Delta II | Spirit Rover mission uses the Delta II rocket, manufactured by United Launch Alliance. The Delta II has flown 26 times with a 100% success rate.
Where is the Delta II | Spirit Rover launching from?
The launch takes place from Space Launch Complex 17A at Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA.
What orbit is Spirit Rover going to?
The Spirit Rover mission is targeting Mars Orbit.
Who is launching Spirit Rover?
The Delta II | Spirit Rover is operated by United States Air Force.
Can I watch the Delta II | Spirit Rover launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
Mar 29, 2026 01:07 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 29, 2026 01:07 UTC
Launch date set: Jun 10, 2003 at 17:58 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by United States Air Force
Mar 29, 2026 01:07 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Mar 25, 2025 20:31 UTC
NASAu2019s Spirit Rover Gets Looked Over
Technicians do final checks on NASAu2019s Spirit rover in this image from March 28, 2003. The rover u2013 and its twin, Opportunity u2013 studied the…
NASA
Last data sync: 13 minutes ago
Launch Library 213 minutes ago
Launch ID: a9684903-9ff2-4b1f-8639-1cc6e6b77166
Spaceflight News API27 minutes ago
1 article matched
Open-Meteo Weather1 day ago
Pad weather at 28.45, -80.57

Mission Profile

Spirit Rover was a Delta II 7925-9.5 mission operated by United States Air Force that lifted off from Space Launch Complex 17A, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA on June 10, 2003. The flight carried its payload on a planetary science mission to Mars Orbit. The launch was a success.