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ULA’s Atlas V rocket arrives at Cape Canaveral ahead of this weekend’s Lucy mission launch

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The United Launch Alliance said its Atlas V rocket arrived at its Cape Canaveral launchpad for Saturday’s liftoff of Lucy.

The rocket will deliver NASA’s Lucy spacecraft to a hyperbolic orbit.

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The mission will study the Trojan asteroids, remnants from formation of the outer planets 4.5 billion years ago.

Lucy will be the first spacecraft to visit the Trojan asteroids.

READ: Lucy mission launch set for Saturday, has 90% favorable weather conditions

ULA said the seven-hour launch countdown will begin Friday night.

The rocket will liftoff at 5:34 a.m. Saturday from space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

READ: NASA, ULA confirm ‘all systems go’ for launch of Lucy spacecraft from Kennedy Space Center

During a prelaunch briefing, officials said the weather will be a 90% go for launch.

Lucy has a 23-day launch window. Should the teams need a backup window, they have it.

READ: ULA, NASA finish ‘wet dress rehearsal’ for upcoming launch for to study ‘Trojan asteroids’

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Katlyn Brieskorn, WFTV.com

Katlyn Brieskorn is a Digital Assignment Editor at WFTV. She joined Channel 9 in July 2019.

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