The Virtual Launch Control Center was activated at
12:00 p.m. EDT

The Virtual Launch Control Center was deactivated at 3:00 p.m. EDT. Thank you for joining our live coverage of NASA's historic Spirit mission to the red planet. Additional videos will be available shortly on our launch day video page.

All times are in EDT unless otherwise stated.

2:48 p.m. - The spacecraft's signal and telemetry has been acquired! Cheers have erupted at Kennedy Space Center and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif.

2:35 p.m. - Spacecraft separation! Standing by for acquisition of the spacecraft's signal.

2:30 p.m. - Third engine cutoff.

2:28 p.m. - Third stage start.

2:27 p.m. - Second secondary engine cutoff.

2:25 p.m. - Second stage restart.

2:08 p.m. - Secondary engine cutoff. The rocket has reached orbit.

2:03 p.m. - Main engine cutoff.

2:01 p.m. - Burn out of motors and solid rocket jettison.

1:58:46.773 p.m. - We have liftoff of the Delta II rocket carrying the Spirit from Earth to planet Mars!

1:54 p.m. - The countdown has resumed at T-4 minutes and counting.

1:50 p.m. - The spacecraft is on internal power.

1:47 p.m. - The NASA Launch Manager is polling the launch team in a final Launch Readiness Poll. All team members are go.

1:44 p.m. - The countdown has entered a 10-minute built-in hold at T-4 minutes.

1:28 p.m. - The countdown has resumed at T-20 minutes and counting.

1:20 p.m. - The NASA Launch Manager and Mission Director are polling their teams for a go/no-go to proceed with the Terminal Count. All team members report they are ready.

1:11 p.m. - The Launch Weather Officer states that there are no violations of weather constraints right now.

1:08 p.m. - The countdown has entered a 20-minute built-in hold at T-20 minutes.

12:53 p.m. - The Boeing Delta Chief Engineer is providing a winds assessment. Winds and weather are not anticipated to be a problem. Chances of favorable weather have improved to 80%.

12:13 p.m. - At T-75 minutes and counting, the Delta II rocket is being loaded with supercold liquid oxygen.

12:02 p.m. - The NASA Launch Manager and Mission Director are conducting polls for a go/no-go for cryogenic tanking.

11:53 a.m. - The Launch Weather Officer is holding a weather briefing, advising launch team members that cumulus clouds at 5 to 10 nautical miles will be the major concern for today's launch. Chances of favorable weather are still at 70%.

11:23 a.m. - Loading of 9,977 gallons of RP-1 fuel into the Delta II rocket began. Loading concluded 20 minutes and 20 seconds later.

10:58 a.m. - The Terminal Count has begun at T-150 minutes and counting.

10:50 a.m. - The Launch Conductor is holding a general launch briefing.

10:40 a.m. - The NASA Launch Manager and Mission Director are conducting polls for a go/no-go to initiate the Terminal Countdown at T-150 minutes. All team members have given a "go."