QUESTION:
Why do you have a countdown and why does it take so long?

ANSWER from Cathy Davis on January 14, 1997:
To launch a rocket requires that many pieces of equipment in the 
rocket and on the launch pad do things at certain times. A countdown 
is used to make sure that these things happen when they are supposed to.

ANSWER from Guy Beutelschies on April 4, 1997:
The countdown took so long because we had to turn on each device and make
sure it was working before launch.  We also checked our Flight Software to
make sure it was operating properly and all the settings and parameters
were correct.  If something was not exactly as we expected, we would then
hold up the launch until we figured out what the problem was.

Remember, after the launch vehicle leaves the pad and heads up into space,
there is no way to replace anything that is broken!

Guy Beutelschies:	Mars Pathfinder Flight Engineer