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In this image, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is hidden inside its white, protective fairing bearing the red, white and blue circular NASA 'meatball' logo and the colorful logo drawn by an artist to celebrate the mission.  The fairing sits atop the very tall Atlas V rocket, which is gold, white and copper in color.  The rocket is inside the vertical integration facility, which is a tall industrial structure - taller than the rocket and the orbiter payload.  Each stage of the rocket is supported by a servicing walkway that allows people to work on it.  On the top walkway, a person appears and is utterly dwarfed by the enormity of the rocket and its payload.
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Countdown Nears: Final Tests

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft performed an integrated system test with its Atlas V rocket on Monday, August 1, 2005, in the Atlas Vertical Integration Facility. This test confirmed the team's ability to communicate with the orbiter atop the rocket. Preparations are underway for a final simulated countdown on Thursday, August, 4, 2005.

Pictured is the encapsulated Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter inside the Vertical Integration Facility on Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

Credit: NASA

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