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

September 25, 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-A, 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 Oct. 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	3:10 - 4:10 p.m. EST

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 26.

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 9 and will be followed by Flight Simulation No. 2 on October 16.

The Pegasus is scheduled for ferry to Cape Canaveral using the Orbital Sciences L-1011 aircraft on October 29. 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.

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	NET December 15, 2002
Launch Window	4:09:32 - 5:32:00 p.m. PST

Status (processing notes)

The ICESAT spacecraft is at the Ball Aerospace Facility in Boulder Colorado currently undergoing workmanship vibration testing. The ICESAT spacecraft is scheduled to arrive at Vandenberg Air Force Base on October 29.

The CHIPSAT spacecraft is at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico where it just concluded vibration testing and is being prepped to undergo thermal vacuum testing starting next week. The CHIPSAT spacecraft is scheduled to arrive at VAFB on October 15.

The Delta II first and second stage arrived at VAFB last week after successfully completing its combined checkout at CCAFS. The booster is scheduled for erection October 22 at VAFB.

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