The Mars rover’s launch date was originally sometime in late 2009. They have decided to this due to technical issues and funding. NASA also says they ran out of time, and didn’t want to rush through such a “costly venture.” The rover is a 2000 pound SUV like information gatherer. It is expected to gather information about the Martian rocks, glaciers. Also it is expected to gather information about the potential of water and other resources. They are waiting for 2011 because The Earth and Mars align every two years. This delay will cost NASA an additional 1-2 billion dollars. NASA officials still stay optimistic as they expect this mission to be an “astounding…accomplishment”