MESSENGER Processing Notes

MESSENGER, riding atop its spacecraft transporter, departed the Astrotech Space Operations facilities in Titusville at 12:27 a.m. today.  It arrived at Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 4:30 a.m. and was hoisted atop the Boeing Delta II rocket at 6:20 a.m.  The Flight Program Verification, an integrated test of the spacecraft/launch vehicle combination and the last major test before launch, is scheduled to occur on July 24.

The spacecraft was mated to the Delta third stage, or upper stage, on July 12 at Astrotech.

Meanwhile, the stacking of the Boeing Delta II launch vehicle on Pad 17-B began on June 30 with the hoisting of the first stage atop the launcher.  Attachment of the nine strap-on solid rocket boosters in sets of three was completed July 6.  The second stage was hoisted into position atop the first stage on July 8.

The first “power-on” testing was completed on July 12.  A vehicle control check was performed on July 14.  This test procedure qualifies the first and second stage steering systems.  A Simulated Flight (SimFlight) or flight test of the launch vehicle electrical and mechanical systems was completed on July 15.  The first stage leak check, or LOX leak check, occurred on July 16 with the loading aboard of liquid oxygen. This test also exercises the first stage propulsion team using a procedure similar to that which will be during the countdown on launch day.  On Monday, July 19, the first stage fuel system was then qualified by loading RP-1, a highly refined kerosene fuel. 

There are no technical issues or concerns with MESSENGER or the Boeing Delta II at this time.   The launch period extends through Aug. 14.

MESSENGER was built for NASA by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Md. (July 21, 2004 status reports)

MESSENGER, riding atop its spacecraft transporter, departed the Astrotech Space Operations facilities in Titusville at 12:27 a.m. today.  It arrived at Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 4:30 a.m. and was hoisted atop the Boeing Delta II rocket at 6:20 a.m.  The Flight Program Verification, an integrated test of the spacecraft/launch vehicle combination and the last major test before launch, is scheduled to occur on July 24.

The spacecraft was mated to the Delta third stage, or upper stage, on July 12 at Astrotech.

Meanwhile, the stacking of the Boeing Delta II launch vehicle on Pad 17-B began on June 30 with the hoisting of the first stage atop the launcher.  Attachment of the nine strap-on solid rocket boosters in sets of three was completed July 6.  The second stage was hoisted into position atop the first stage on July 8.

The first “power-on” testing was completed on July 12.  A vehicle control check was performed on July 14.  This test procedure qualifies the first and second stage steering systems.  A Simulated Flight (SimFlight) or flight test of the launch vehicle electrical and mechanical systems was completed on July 15.  The first stage leak check, or LOX leak check, occurred on July 16 with the loading aboard of liquid oxygen. This test also exercises the first stage propulsion team using a procedure similar to that which will be during the countdown on launch day.  On Monday, July 19, the first stage fuel system was then qualified by loading RP-1, a highly refined kerosene fuel. 

There are no technical issues or concerns with MESSENGER or the Boeing Delta II at this time.   The launch period extends through Aug. 14.

MESSENGER was built for NASA by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Md. (July 14, 2004 status reports)

MESSENGER is undergoing prelaunch testing at the Astrotech Space Operations facilities near Kennedy Space Center.

The spacecraft’s two solar arrays are undergoing cleaning today in preparation for installation on June 24 -25.  One array will be installed each day.  After an array is installed, a deployment test is conducted.  Installation of thermal blankets continues.  Spacecraft propellant loading is currently scheduled for June 29 – July 2.  Spacecraft spin balance testing is planned for July 7.

Autonomy testing of the spacecraft has been successfully completed.  This verified that MESSENGER can operate on its own when not in direct contact with Earth.

The stacking of the Boeing Delta II launch vehicle on pad 17-B is currently planned to begin one week after the launch of the Delta II carrying the Air Force Global Positioning Satellite occurs.

There are no technical issues or concerns with MESSENGER or its associated Delta II at this time.

MESSENGER was built for NASA by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Md. (June 21, 2004 status reports)

MESSENGER is undergoing prelaunch testing at the Astrotech Space Operations facilities near Kennedy Space Center.

Autonomy testing of the spacecraft has been successfully completed. This verifies MESSENGER’s ability to operate on its own when not in direct contact with Earth. Installation of thermal blankets continues.

The two solar arrays will be installed June 23 -24 and deployment tests conducted. Spacecraft propellant loading is currently scheduled for June 28 – July 2. Spacecraft spin balance testing is planned for July 7 and mating to the upper stage booster will occur July 12. The spacecraft will leave Astrotech for Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on July 16 and be mated to the Delta II rocket at Pad 17-B. Meanwhile, stacking of the launch vehicle on the pad is currently planned to begin on June 26, one week after the launch of the Delta II carrying the Air Force Global Positioning Satellite is currently scheduled to occur.

There are no technical issues or concerns with MESSENGER or its associated Delta II at this time.

The launch period for MESSENGER extends through Aug. 13.

MESSENGER was built for NASA by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Md. (June 10, 2004 status reports)

MESSENGER was built for NASA by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in
Laurel, Md. (June 03, 2004 status reports)

MESSENGER is undergoing prelaunch testing at the Astrotech Space Operations facilities near KSC. Autonomy testing of the spacecraft continues. This verifies MESSENGER’s ability to operate on its own when not in direct contact with Earth. Installation of thermal blankets has been completed as required by the schedule up to this time. In upcoming work, the flight battery is scheduled for installation June 8 and the solar arrays will be installed June 21. Spacecraft fueling is planned for the end of this month.

The review to assess readiness to begin stacking the Boeing Delta II rocket on Pad 17-B was successfully completed May 19. Vehicle stacking is currently scheduled to begin on June 21, after the Global Positioning System (GPS) II-R12 launch, tentatively scheduled to launch on June 9.
The launch period for MESSENGER extends through Aug. 13.

MESSENGER was built for NASA by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Md. (May 26, 2004 status reports)

MESSENGER is at the Astrotech Space Operations facilities near Kennedy Space Center, where it is undergoing pre-launch testing.

Testing of the spacecraft’s radio system uplink and downlinks through the KSC/JPL interface with the Deep Space Network (MIL-71) has been successfully completed. Autonomy testing continues. This verifies MESSENGER’s ability to operate on its own when not in direct contact with Earth. Installation of thermal blankets has been completed as required on the schedule up to this time.

The review to determine the readiness to begin stacking the launch vehicle is scheduled to occur May 19. The assembly of the Boeing Delta II launch vehicle on Pad 17-B is currently scheduled to begin on June 18 with the stacking of the first stage.

The launch period for MESSENGER extends through Aug. 13 of this year.

MESSENGER was built for NASA by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Md. (May 7, 2004 status reports)

MESSENGER is at the Astrotech Space Operations facilities near Kennedy Space Center, where it is undergoing pre-launch testing.

Testing of the spacecraft’s radio system uplink and downlinks through the KSC/JPL interface with the Deep Space Network (MIL-71) has been successfully completed. Autonomy testing continues. This verifies MESSENGER’s ability to operate on its own when not in direct contact with Earth. Installation of thermal blankets has been completed as required on the schedule up to this time.

The assembly of the Boeing Delta II launch vehicle on Pad 17-B is currently scheduled to begin on June 18 with the stacking of the first stage.

The launch period for MESSENGER extends through Aug. 13 of this year.

MESSENGER was built for NASA by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Md.(April 29, 2004 status reports)  

MESSENGER is at the Astrotech Space Operations facilities near Kennedy Space Center, where it is undergoing prelaunch testing.

Testing of the spacecraft’s radio system uplink and downlinks through the KSC/JPL interface with the Deep Space Network (MIL-71) has been successfully completed. Autonomy testing continues. This verifies MESSENGER’s ability to operate on its own when not in direct contact with Earth. Installation of thermal blankets has been completed as required on the schedule up to this time.

The erection of the Boeing Delta II launch vehicle on Pad 17-B is currently scheduled to begin on June 18 with the erection of the first stage.

The launch period for MESSENGER extends through Aug. 13.

MESSENGER was built for NASA by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Md. (April 15, 2004 status reports)

MESSENGER is at the Astrotech Space Operations facilities near Kennedy Space Center, where it is undergoing prelaunch testing. Testing of the spacecraft’s radio system uplink and downlinks through the KSC/JPL interface with the Deep Space Network (MIL-71) continues. Autonomy testing is also continuing. This verifies MESSENGER’s ability to operate on its own when not in direct contact with Earth. Installation of thermal blankets continues.

The spacecraft was moved from its current location in the hazardous processing facility, where it has been since arrival, to an adjacent non-hazardous payload processing facility on Tuesday. The remainder of its final assembly and testing will be completed there. The spacecraft will return to the hazardous processing facility when ready for fueling, spin balance testing and mating to the upper stage.

The erection of the Boeing Delta II launch vehicle on Pad 17-B is currently scheduled to begin on June 18 with the erection of the first stage.

MESSENGER was built for NASA by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Md. (April 8, 2004 status reports)

MESSENGER is at the Astrotech Space Operations facilities near Kennedy Space Center where it is undergoing prelaunch testing. Testing of the spacecraft’s radio system uplink and downlinks through the KSC/JPL interface with the Deep Space Network (MIL-71) continues. Autonomy testing is also continuing. This verifies MESSENGER’s ability to operate on its own when not in direct contact with Earth. Installation of thermal blankets continues.

On April 13, the spacecraft will be moved from its current location in the hazardous processing facility, where it has been since arrival, to an adjacent non-hazardous payload processing facility. The remainder of its final assembly and testing will be completed there. The spacecraft will return to the hazardous processing facility when ready for fueling, spin balance testing and mating to the upper stage.

MESSENGER was built for NASA by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland. (March 31, 2004 status reports)

MESSENGER is at the Astrotech Space Operations facilities near Kennedy Space Center where it is undergoing prelaunch testing. Testing of the spacecraft’s radio system uplink and downlinks through the KSC/JPL interface with the Deep Space Network (MIL-71) continues. Autonomy testing is also continuing. This verifies MESSENGER’s ability to operate on its own when not in direct contact with Earth. Installation of thermal blankets continues.

On April 13, the spacecraft will be moved from its current location in the hazardous processing facility, where it has been since arrival, to an adjacent non-hazardous payload processing facility. The remainder of its final assembly and testing will be completed there. The spacecraft will return to the hazardous processing facility when ready for fueling, spin balance testing and mating to the upper stage.

MESSENGER was built for NASA by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland.

A decision has been made to reschedule the launch of NASA’s MESSENGER spacecraft – the first designed to orbit the planet Mercury—to no earlier than July 30.  The launch opportunity extends until Aug. 13, 2004.

Several factors led to NASA’s decision to move the launch from its original May 11 date, including a desire to include more testing of MESSENGER’s fault-protection system software.  This allows the spacecraft to check its own health and, when necessary, switch between alternative backup systems.  This will also create some additional time for the test team to complete final assembly and checkout affording a more comfortable spacecraft processing schedule.

The spacecraft will continue its processing activities at the Astrotech Space Operations facilities near Kennedy Space Center.  The stacking of the Boeing Delta II launch vehicle at Pad 17-B is being rescheduled for mid-June.

MESSENGER has been built for NASA by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland. (March 17, 2004 status reports)

The MESSENGER spacecraft arrived at the Astrotech Space Operations processing facility near Kennedy Space Center on March 10.  It was offloaded and taken into a high bay clean room.  The soft covers were then removed, and the spacecraft was hoisted onto a test stand and powered-up the same day.  Post-arrival state-of-health checks were successfully completed.

Processing for launch began this week, including checkout of the power systems, communications systems and control systems.  Workers are also beginning to attach the thermal blankets to the spacecraft for flight.

Build-up of the Boeing Delta II launch vehicle at Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is scheduled to begin on March 31.

MESSENGER has been built for NASA by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Baltimore, Maryland.  The spacecraft will fly past Venus three times and Mercury twice before starting its year-long orbital study of Mercury in July 2009.  The Venus flybys, in November 2004, August 2005 and October 2006, will use the planet’s gravity to guide MESSENGER toward Mercury’s orbit.  Mercury flybys in October 2007 and July 2008 will fine-tune the MESSENGER path and allow the spacecraft to gather data critical to planning the mission once it is in orbit.

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08/06/2004

 Curator: Elaine Marconi (elaine.marconi-1@ksc.nasa.gov) / InDyne, Inc. 
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