| NASA’s
Aura spacecraft, the latest in the Earth Observing System
(EOS) series, is at the Astrotech payload processing facility
on North VAFB. Calif. The spacecraft propulsion system
testing was completed. Fueling of the spacecraft is happening
today. Spacecraft mate to the payload attach fitting (PAF)
is scheduled to occur on May 24.
The assembly
of the Boeing Delta II launch vehicle on Space Launch
Complex 2, on North VAFB, began on April 29 with the stacking
of the first stage. The payload fairing was hoisted into
the tower on April 30. The second stage was hoisted atop
the first stage on May 1. Installation of the nine solid
rocket boosters was completed May 5. The Boeing PAF preparation
for flight installation continues.
The first power-on
testing was completed on May 11. A vehicle control check
is scheduled to occur on May 17. This procedure qualifies
the first and second stage subsystems through a series
of detailed tests. The first stage leak check, scheduled
for May 21, will include a simulated countdown and the
loading of liquid oxygen. A Simulated Flight (SimFlight)
or flight test of the vehicle’s electrical and mechanical
systems will follow on May 24.
Aura’s
four state-of-the-art instruments will study the dynamics
of chemistry occurring in the atmosphere. The spacecraft
will provide data to help scientists better understand
the Earth’s ozone, air quality and climate change.
The EOS Aura
satellite, instruments and science investigations are
managed by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in
Greenbelt, Md. Government oversight of launch preparations
and the countdown management on launch day is the responsibility
of the NASA Launch Services Program based at John F. Kennedy
Space Center. The launch service is provided to NASA by
Boeing Launch Services.
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