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| |
| Note |
|
This expendable launch
vehicle and payload processing status will be issued
weekly. It will provide the status of upcoming NASA
missions scheduled for launch aboard expendable launch
vehicles. For additional information on NASA ELV
launches, visit: http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/elvnew/elv.htm.
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| |
|
TDRS-J
|
| Mission |
Tracking
and Data Relay Satellite-J |
| Launch
Vehicle |
Lockheed
Martin Atlas IIA (AC-144) |
| Launch
Pad |
Launch
Complex 36-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station |
| Launch
Date |
November
20, 2002 |
| Launch
Window |
10:36
p.m. - 11:16
p.m. EST |
|
| |
|
Status
(processing
notes)
|
 The
TDRS-J spacecraft is at the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation
Facility-2 in the KSC Industrial Area undergoing electrical
testing. Loading of the fuel and oxidizer also scheduled
to occur this week has been postponed to no earlier than
next week. Additional testing of the TDRS-J single access
antenna may be necessary based on the checkout that is
currently under way on TDRS-I currently on orbit.
At Pad A on Launch Complex 36, the Simulated Flight (SimFlight)
test was successful on Oct. 25. This is an electrical
test of the vehicle systems during simulated powered flight
from launch through spacecraft separation. Upcoming will
be the vehicle’s Wet Dress Rehearsal on Nov. 6, a countdown
with the vehicle fully fueled with liquid hydrogen, liquid
oxygen and RP-1 propellants. The final test will be the
Composite Electrical Readiness Test (CERT) which occurs
after TDRS-J has been mated to the launch vehicle. This
will verify that the vehicle and spacecraft are operating
on an integrated basis.
NASA is using the 23rd and final Atlas IIA model launch
vehicle in the Lockheed Martin inventory for TDRS-J.
|
| |
| Mission |
Solar
Radiation and Climate Experiment |
| Launch
Vehicle |
Pegasus
XL |
| Launch
Pad |
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station |
| Launch
Date |
December
13, 2002 NET |
| Launch
Time |
3:09
p.m. - 4:09
p.m. EST T-0: 3:14
p.m. EST |
| |
|
Status
(processing
notes)
|
SORCE,
built by the Orbital Sciences Space Systems
Group, arrived at the Kennedy Space Center
on Saturday, Oct. 26 and is undergoing prelaunch
testing at the Multipurpose Payload Processing
Facility located in the KSC Industrial Area.
Charging of the flight batteries was completed
yesterday. A Limited Performance Test, an
electrical test of the spacecraft lasting
16 hours, is under way today. A solar array
lighting test is scheduled for Nov. 5. There
are no spacecraft issues or concerns.
The SORCE project is managed by NASA’s Goddard
Space Flight Center. The instruments on the
SORCE spacecraft are built by the Laboratory
for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP).
The silicon seal associated with the interface
between the Pegasus rocket and its wing has
been replaced with a new seal and will be
rebonded with fresh adhesive.
The Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL launch vehicle
completed its buildup and testing on Oct.
11 at Vandenberg Air Force Base. The mating
of the three stages was completed Oct. 15.
Two Flight Simulation tests were performed.
Flight Simulation No. 1 was successfully completed
on Oct. 11 and Flight Simulation No. 2 was
completed on Oct. 17.
The ferry to KSC using the Orbital Sciences
L-1011 aircraft is scheduled for Nov. 9. Three
Flight Simulation tests are planned at KSC
prior to launch. NASA is targeting a launch
date of Dec. 13 subject to the availability
of the Eastern Range. |
|
|
|
ICESAT
/ CHIPSAT
|
| Mission |
Ice,
Cloud and Land Elevation Satellite / Cosmic Hot
Interstellar Spectrometer |
| Launch
Vehicle |
Delta
II with Dual Payload Attach Fixture (DPAF) |
| Launch
Pad |
SLC-2W,
Vandenberg Air Force Base |
| Launch
Date |
December 19, 2002 (tentative) |
| Launch
Window |
4:09:32
- 5:32:00
p.m. PST |
|
| |
|
Status
(processing
notes)
|
At
the Astrotech Space Operations Payload Processing Facility,
the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System functional test
is being performed on ICESAT today. The instruments on
ICESAT were developed by the Laboratory for Atmospheric
and Space Physics (LASP) under a contract with NASA’s
Goddard Space Flight Center. There are no ICESAT issues
or concerns.
Also at Astrotech, CHIPSAT successfully completed a spacecraft
functional test yesterday. This finishes the major prelaunch
testing of CHIPSAT with no issues or concerns.
Meanwhile, at Space Launch Complex 2, the first power-on
testing of the Boeing Delta II begins today. The first
stage of the Delta was erected on Oct. 22, the solid rocket
motors were erected on Oct. 24, and the second stage was
erected on Oct. 25. Main propulsion system leak checks
are scheduled for next week. On Nov. 15, a Crew Certification
will be held. This is a countdown to exercise the launch
team, and the first stage will be loaded with liquid oxygen.
A Simulated Flight (SimFlight) or flight test of the vehicle’s
electrical and mechanical systems will follow on Nov.
18. |
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|
The Kennedy
Space Center (KSC) Newsroom offers an electronic subscription
service for status reports, news releases and other notices
issued from KSC. There are two possible ways to subscribe.
You may send a blank e-mail message to ksc-news_release-subscribe@kscnews.ksc.nasa.gov
or follow the instructions on the Web site at http://kscnews.ksc.nasa.gov.
The system will confirm the request via e-mail.
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