Cape Canaveral (Florida): After nearly two weeks of delays, a rocket holding National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) second Mars rover was launched into a night sky on July 7 on a mission to study whether the Red Planet ever had enough water to sustain life.

The rover, 'Opportunity', lifted off in a cloud of steam aboard a Delta II heavy rocket at 11:18 pm EDT (8.48 IST on July 8). NASA administrator Sean O' Keefe flew to the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to watch the launch.

The launch had been postponed more than a half-dozen times because of bad weather, a failed battery cell and a nagging problem with cork insulation failing to stick to the aluminium rocket.

Technical problems continued to plague the launch on July 7 night. Launch officials halted the countdown with seven seconds left during the first launch opportunity at 10:35 p.m. EDT (7.65 IST on July 8) because of a problem with a valve on the rocket.

NASA had until July 15 to launch 'Opportunity' before Earth and Mars became too far apart. The next chance would be in four years.

The failed battery cell was discovered over the weekend and replaced. Fixing the cork on the Delta II Heavy rocket had been more challenging.

The cork is believed to have peeled off from the rocket during fuelling, when minus-300-degree F liquid oxygen is loaded into the rocket. Workers replaced pieces of the cork and used a stronger adhesive.

Workers also fixed minor last-minute problems on July 7 night on software and the replacement battery cell.

Agencies