QUESTION:
How long is the entire launch process each time?  Is it the same? 

ANSWER: Chris Salvo on February 4, 1997:
The Mars Pathfinder spacecraft arrived in Florida at the Kennedy Space
Center on August 15th and we launched on December 5th.  The reason that it
took so long was that we had to install several components down there and
then re-assemble the spacecraft.  Most other spacecraft arrive fully
assembled so it only takes a month or so to unpack it, fill it with 
propellant, and test it to make sure that nothing was broken during the move.

Once our spacecraft was ready, it took about 2 weeks to put it on top of
the rocket and check that the whole thing was ready for launch.

After lift off, it took about 5 minutes to get into space and then another
hour to get into the right position to separate from the last stage of the
launch vehicle and head for Mars.

Guy Beutelschies:	Mars Pathfinder Flight Engineer