Megan's Blog

MRO Delay

The launch of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has been delayed 24 hours after a fault was found with a gyro unit similar to the ones used in the Atlas V rocket which will carry MRO into space. These gyro units are important as they form part of the guidance system on the rocket, essential if you want your spacecraft to end up in the right place! (Incidentally, it may be a gyro failure which ultimately puts an end to Hubble.)