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ELV Update
The launch
of Gravity Probe B (GP-B) from Vandenberg Air Force Base,
Calif. is being rescheduled after a review of test data. The launch
had been scheduled for Dec. 6 . Prelaunch testing data shows electronic
noise on an output channel associated with the No. 1 experiment
gyro that could compromise the quality of data received from it.
The problem has been isolated to a component in the spacecraft’s
experiment control unit (ECU). While there is a second available
output channel for this gyro, a postponement of the launch will
allow time to fix the problem. This precaution will assure full
reliability of the experiment and assure success over the planned
16-month life of the mission. A new launch date has not been determined.
Ribbon-cutting
for new Space Life Sciences Lab
NASA-KSC and the state of Florida are hosting a dedication and
ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Space Life Sciences Lab (formerly
known as the Space Experiment Research and Processing Laboratory
– SERPL) and Space Commerce Way, Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 9
a.m. The more-than 100,000-square-foot facility, completed in
August of this year, represents a partnership between NASA and
the state of Florida. The state, through Florida Space Authority,
built the research lab. The new facility is host to NASA, NASA’s
Life Sciences Services contractor Dynamac Corporation, Bionetics
Corporation, and researchers from the University of Florida. Dynamac
Corporation leases the facility. The Florida Space Research Institute
is responsible for gaining additional tenants from outside the
NASA community.
Data gathering at KSC for Return-to-Flight
Fatigue Rollout Test operations are taking place this week on
the crawler-transporter and Mobile Launcher Platform. The crawler
is moving the MLP, carrying a set of twin solid rocket boosters,
slowly out of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) in support of
engineering analysis vibration tests on the crawler and MLP. The
primary purpose of these rollout tests is to gather data to develop
future maintenance requirements on the transport equipment and
the flight hardware. Additional rollout tests will be performed
in the following months without the booster set for the purposes
of gathering data in various hardware configurations. Also, for
security purposes, vehicles are prohibited from driving on the
rock portion of the crawler track until Friday Nov. 21.
Shuttle
Return-To-Flight briefing
Nov. 18
Today, Nov. 18, at 2 p.m., NASA Space Shuttle Program
officials will hold a briefing at NASA’s Johnson Space Center,
Houston, about return-to-flight issues. The briefing will be broadcast
live on NASA TV and will focus on Return-to-Flight Shuttle processing,
testing, training and response to recommendations of the Columbia
Accident Investigation Board. Participants include Space Shuttle
Program Manager Bill Parsons, Deputy Space Shuttle Program Manager
N. Wayne Hale and NASA Return-to-Flight Planning Team Lead Col.
James Halsell.
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Did
You Know ?
EEAW selects slogan winner – The Environmental
& Energy Awareness Team received 45 creative slogan
nominations for the April 2004 EEAW event and 286 votes.
Congratulations to Tracey Eddings of InDyne, Inc.
for the winning slogan, “Today’s Conservation
Defines Tomorrow’s Future.” Tracey will be presented
her award during the Opening Ceremonies on April 20 at 10
a.m. in the KSC Training Auditorium during the KSC Environmental
& Energy Awareness Week activities. Thanks to everyone
for your participation in this year’s slogan contest.
Mark
your calendars for April 20-22, 2004, to celebrate Earth
Day! |
KSC Countdown is published
Tuesdays & Thursdays.
Deadlines: 10 a.m. Mondays & Wednesdays.
Send
information, comments or questions to:
E-mail -- Anita.Barrett-1@ksc.nasa.gov
Telephone --
321-867-2815
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