CAPE CANAVERAL, Aug 12: An Atlas 5 rocket blasted off from Florida on Friday and dispatched a sophisticated Nasa probe on a journey to Mars to look for water on Earth’s mysterious neighbour planet. After two days of delays due to minor technical concerns, the 57-metre Atlas 5 booster, built by Lockheed Martin, blasted off its seaside launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station smoothly and on time.

Nestled in a protective cargo hold perched on the rocket’s nose was the 2,180-kg Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, also built by Lockheed Martin. The rocket successfully placed the orbiter on a path to Mars. Jubilant ground control teams shrieked with delight when the spacecraft successfully separated from the rocket’s second-stage motor, unfurled its solar arrays and pivoted a communications antenna into position. The orbiter found targets for its star-tracker navigation system and responded to its first commands.

“We are at full control of a completely healthy spacecraft,” said flight systems manager Howard Eisen.

The spacecraft’s primary goal is to continue the search for evidence showing how long Mars had water, which scientists believe is key to learning if life ever existed on Mars.

When the satellite arrives at Mars it will join two other US orbiters, Mars Global Surveyor and Mars Odyssey, Europe’s Mars Express spacecraft and the twin robot rovers, Spirit and and Opportunity.

Those craft have found what may be signs of ancient coastlines and formations potentially carved by water.

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is equipped with three high-resolution cameras and a radar sounder that can detect water and ice below Mars’ surface.

It is to spend four years in orbit around Mars looking for spots to land future rovers and eventual human expeditions. Other instruments will be able to map surface minerals and monitor Mars’ atmosphere.

POTENTIAL PITFALLS: Nasa’s deputy associate administrator for science. Orlando Figueroa, congratulated the team on a successful launch but warned there were plenty of potential pitfalls ahead.

“We still have a long journey to Mars,” Figueroa said.

The most trying moment will come in March when the orbiter must slow down and allow itself to be captured by Mars’ gravity.

The engine burn to drop into Mars’ orbit will take 30 minutes, half of which must be done with the planet in front of the probe, blocking communications with Earth.

Flight engineers then must navigate the probe through six or seven months of adjustments to perfect the orbit for its scientific surveys. The complement of cameras aboard the orbiter includes one with the largest-diameter telescopic lens ever sent to another planet.—Reuters