John F. Kennedy Space Center - Expendable Launch Vehicle and Payload Processing Status Reports

September 4, 2002

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.

TDRS-J

Mission	Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-J
Launch Vehicle	Lockheed Martin Atlas IIA (AC-144)
Launch Pad	Launch Complex 36-B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Launch Date	November 20, 2002
Launch Window	10:36 - 11:16 p.m. EST

Status (processing notes)

The Atlas II launch vehicle is at the Lockheed Martin factory in Denver, Colorado undergoing final assembly, integration and testing. Both Centaur stage engines have been installed. Associated electrical harnesses are being installed and the aft area of the stage is undergoing electrical and mechanical build-up. The arrival of the booster at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station continues to be anticipated around October 8.

The TDRS-J spacecraft is undergoing testing at the factory and is planned to arrive at Kennedy Space Center from the Boeing Satellite Systems plant in El Segundo, California on or about October 17.

SORCE

Mission	Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment
Launch Vehicle	Pegasus XL
Launch Pad	Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Launch Date	December 1, 2002
Launch Time	11:00 a.m. EST (tentative)

Status (processing notes)

SORCE is at the Orbital Space Systems Group spacecraft facility in Dulles, Virginia and has satisfactorily completed space environment tests. The spacecraft is scheduled to arrive at Kennedy Space Center to begin final processing on October 25.

The Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL launch vehicle continues to undergo buildup and testing at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Two Flight Simulation tests are scheduled while the vehicle is in California. Flight Simulation No. 1 is scheduled for October 1 and will be followed by Flight Simulation No. 2 on October 9.

The Pegasus is scheduled for ferry to Cape Canaveral using the Orbital Sciences L-1011 aircraft on October 28. Three Flight Simulation tests are also planned at KSC prior to launch and are scheduled to occur on November 1, November 8 and November 18.

GALEX

Mission	Galaxy Evolution Explorer
Launch Vehicle	Pegasus XL
Launch Pad	Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Launch Date	Under Review
Launch Window	TBD

Status (processing notes)

The GALEX spacecraft is at the Orbital Space Systems Group facility in Dulles, Virginia. Due to problems found during thermal vacuum testing of GALEX, shipment to KSC has been postponed and the launch is being rescheduled. Troubleshooting, data analysis and further testing of the spacecraft is being performed.

In California at Vandenberg Air Force Base, the Pegasus XL launch vehicle is ready for ferry to KSC on the Orbital Sciences L-1011 aircraft but is predicated on the prior arrival of the spacecraft at KSC.

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