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TDRS-J Processing Notes |
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NASA’s
TDRS-J Tracking and Data Relay Satellite was
successfully launched from Cape Canaveral at 9:42 p.m.
aboard a Lockheed Martin Atlas IIA rocket. The on-time
liftoff occurred from Pad A at Launch Complex 36. The
burns of the Atlas and Centaur stages were nominal.
Spacecraft separation occurred at 10:12 p.m. Contact
with TDRS-J was made at 10:41 p.m. when the satellite
passed over NASA’s Canberra tracking station in
Australia.
During the next eight days, a series of orbit raising maneuvers will boost the 7,039-pound satellite into a geosynchronous orbit 22,300 miles above the Earth’s equator. (December 5, 2002 status report) |
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In the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility-2 (SAEF-2) the
TDRS-J spacecraft was mated to the payload adapter on Nov. 20 and encapsulated into the payload fairing on Nov. 21.
TDRS-J was transported to Complex 36 in the pre-dawn hours of Nov. 25 and hoisted atop the Lockheed Martin Atlas IIA launch vehicle on Pad A. The final major test was completed on Nov. 26, the Composite Electrical Readiness Test (CERT). This test verifies that the vehicle and spacecraft are operating in an integrated manner. The NASA Flight Readiness Review for AC-144/TDRS-J was successfully completed on Tuesday, Nov. 26. On launch day, Dec. 4, the countdown will begin at 12:52 p.m. The mobile service tower, or gantry, will be removed from around the Atlas IIA launch vehicle at 6:29 p.m. Cryogenic tanking operations for the Atlas and Centaur stages will begin at 7:56 p.m. Launch is scheduled at 9:42 p.m. at the opening of a 40-minute launch window that closes at 10:22 p.m. (November 27, 2002 status report) |
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The
TRDS-J spacecraft is undergoing final checkout at the Spacecraft Assembly Encapsulation Facility-2 in the KSC Industrial Area. Spacecraft mating to the payload adapter is scheduled for Nov. 20. Encapsulation of the spacecraft into the Atlas IIA payload fairing is scheduled for Nov. 21. The
TDRS-J spacecraft will go to the pad on Nov. 23 where it will be mated to the launch vehicle. At Pad A on Launch Complex 36, the final major test will be the Composite Electrical Readiness Test (CERT) on Nov. 25. This will verify that the vehicle and spacecraft are operating in an integrated manner. NASA and Lockheed Martin have cleared the RL-10 turbo pump for AC-144 flight. No further action on this issue is required prior to AC-144 launch. (November 20, 2002 status report) |
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The
TDRS-J spacecraft is undergoing final checkout at the
Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility-2 in the
KSC Industrial Area. Encapsulation of the spacecraft into
the Atlas payload fairing is scheduled for Nov. 20 and
the spacecraft will go to the pad on Nov. 22. At Pad A on Launch Complex 36, the final test will be the Composite Electrical Readiness Test (CERT) on Nov. 25 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 and Lockheed Martin continue to assess the failure of an upper stage turbo pump that occurred during testing at the vendor. While the pump in question is not from an Atlas launch vehicle, it is similar to what is on AC-144. More time is still necessary to complete the analysis, so the launch is now targeted for Dec. 4. NASA and Lockheed Martin remain optimistic that AC-144 will be cleared for launch in the next several days. (November 14, 2002 status report) |
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The
TDRS-J spacecraft is at the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility-2 in the KSC Industrial Area. Additional testing of the
TDRS-J single access antenna was determined to be unnecessary and loading of the fuel and oxidizer began on Tuesday. The activity has been going well and
was completed today. Encapsulation of the spacecraft into the Atlas payload fairing is tentatively scheduled for next week. At Pad A on Launch Complex 36, the vehicle's Wet Dress Rehearsal was completed successfully on Wednesday, Nov. 6. This is 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. The Simulated Flight test (Sim Flight) was successful on Oct. 25. This is an electrical test of the vehicle systems during simulated powered flight from launch through spacecraft separation. NASA and Lockheed Martin are assessing the failure of an upper stage turbo pump that occurred during testing at the vendor. It is associated with a different launch system but the upper stage engine is similar to what is on AC-144. Some additional time is necessary to complete the analysis, so the launch is now scheduled for no earlier than Nov. 22. NASA and Lockheed Martin are optimistic that AC-144 will be cleared for launch. (November 7, 2002 status report) |
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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. (October 30, 2002 status report) |
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The
TDRS-J spacecraft arrived at the Kennedy Space Center at 6:10 a.m. last Thursday, Oct. 17, and was taken to the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility -2 in the KSC Industrial Area. Testing of the satellite is now underway. Loading of the fuel and oxidizer is scheduled to begin next week on Oct. 28. The operation to encapsulate the spacecraft into the payload fairing begins Nov. 7. At Pad A on Launch Complex 36, the next major milestone is the Simulated Flight test (SimFlight) on Oct. 25, an electrical test of the vehicle systems during simulated powered flight from launch through spacecraft separation. To follow 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 TDRS-J satellite will be mated with the launch vehicle at the pad on Nov. 12 and followed on Nov. 13 with the Composite Electrical Readiness Test (CERT). This will verify that the vehicle and spacecraft are operating on an integrated basis. The Lockheed Martin Atlas IIA launch vehicle arrived at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station from Denver, Colo., on Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 8:20 a.m. aboard an Antonov 124 aircraft. The Atlas stage with its Rocketdyne MA-5A two-chamber booster engine and sustainer engine was erected on Pad 36-A on Oct. 9. The Centaur stage with its pair of Pratt and Whitney RL-10 engines was hoisted atop the Atlas on Oct. 11. The initial power application to the vehicle occurred on Monday, Oct. 14. This is the 24th and final Lockheed Martin Atlas IIA model launch vehicle (no solid rocket boosters) and has a 100% success rate. (October 24, 2002 status report) |
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The
TDRS-J spacecraft has completed testing at the Boeing Satellite
Systems plant in El Segundo, Calif., and is scheduled to arrive
at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility tomorrow, Oct.
17, aboard a C-17 aircraft. The spacecraft ground support equipment
arrived at KSC yesterday, Oct. 15. The Lockheed Martin Atlas IIA launch vehicle arrived at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station from Denver, Colo., on Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 8:20 a.m. aboard an Antonov 124 aircraft. The Atlas stage with its Rocketdyne MA-5A two-chamber booster engine and sustainer engine was erected on Pad 36-A on Oct. 9. The Centaur stage with its pair of Pratt and Whitney RL-10 engines was hoisted atop the Atlas on Oct. 11. The initial power application to the vehicle occurred this week on Monday, Oct. 14. The next major milestone is the Simulated Flight test (SimFlight), an electrical test of the vehicle systems during simulated powered flight from launch through spacecraft separation. To follow 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 TDRS-J satellite will be mated with the launch vehicle at the pad on Nov. 12 and followed on Nov. 13 with the Composite Electrical Readiness Test (CERT). This will verify that the vehicle and spacecraft are operating on an integrated basis. This is the 24th and final Lockheed Martin Atlas IIA model launch vehicle (no solid rocket boosters) and has a 100% success rate. (October 16, 2002 status report) |
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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 is now scheduled for October 7. 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 October 17. (October 9, 2002 status report) |
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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 is now scheduled for October 7. 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 October 17. (October 2, 2002 status report) |
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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. (September 25, 2002 status report) |
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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. (September 18, 2002 status report) |
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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. (September 4, 2002 status report) |
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The Atlas II launch vehicle is at the Lockheed Martin factory in Denver, Colorado, undergoing final assembly, integration and testing. Centaur engine No. 1 has been installed and Centaur engine No. 2 is undergoing installation preparations. The arrival of the booster at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station continues to be anticipated on 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. (August 28, 2002 status report) |
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The Atlas II launch vehicle is at the Lockheed Martin factory in Denver, Colorado undergoing final
assembly, integration and testing. Work is proceeding as planned
based on the current schedule. The arrival date of the booster at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is
anticipated as 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. (August 21, 2002 status report) |
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NASA and Lockheed Martin have agreed on a new launch date of Nov. 20. The tentative launch time is 9 p.m. EST. The Atlas II launch vehicle is at the Lockheed Martin factory in Denver, Co., undergoing final assembly. Preparations are underway for the installation of the Centaur upper stage engines. The arrival date of the booster at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is planned for Oct. 8. The TDRS-J spacecraft is currently planned to arrive at Kennedy Space Center from the Boeing Satellite Systems plant in El Segundo, Calif., on or about Oct. 17. (August 14, 2002 status report) |
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The Atlas II launch vehicle is at the Lockheed Martin factory in Denver, Colorado undergoing final assembly. NASA and Lockheed Martin have agreed on a three-week postponement of the launch to accommodate final AC-144 launch vehicle assembly work. Launch is now scheduled for Nov. 20. The TDRS-J spacecraft is currently planned to arrive at Kennedy Space Center from the Boeing Satellite Systems plant in El Segundo, California no earlier than October 17. (August 7, 2002 status report) |
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The
TDRS-J spacecraft is currently planned to arrive at Kennedy Space Center from the Boeing Satellite Systems plant in El Segundo, California, no earlier than September 26. The Lockheed Martin Atlas II launch vehicle is at the factory in Denver, Colorado, undergoing final assembly. The arrival date of the booster at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is under review. (July 31, 2002 status report) |
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The
TDRS-J spacecraft is anticipated to arrive at Kennedy Space Center from the Boeing Satellite Systems plant in El Segundo, California on September 26. The launch is scheduled to occur on October 29, however, the launch window has not yet been determined. The Lockheed Martin Atlas II launch vehicle is at the factory in Denver, Colorado undergoing final assembly. Arrival of the booster at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is anticipated to occur in mid-September. (July 24, 2002 status report) |
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The
TDRS-J spacecraft is anticipated to arrive at Kennedy Space Center from the Boeing Satellite Systems plant in El Segundo, California on September 26. The launch is scheduled to occur on October 29; however, the launch window has not yet been determined. The Lockheed Martin Atlas II launch vehicle is at the factory in Denver, Colorado, undergoing final assembly. Arrival of the booster at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is anticipated to occur in mid-September. (July 17, 2002 status report) |
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The
TDRS-J spacecraft is anticipated to arrive at Kennedy Space Center from the Boeing Satellite Systems plant in El Segundo, California on September 26. The launch is scheduled to occur on October 29, however, the launch window has not yet been determined. The Lockheed Martin Atlas II launch vehicle is at the factory in Denver, Colo., undergoing final assembly. Arrival of the booster at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is anticipated to occur in mid-September. (July 10, 2002 status report) |
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The
TDRS-J spacecraft is anticipated to arrive at Kennedy Space Center from
the Boeing Satellite Systems plant in El Segundo, California on
September 26. The launch is scheduled to occur on October 29, 2002,
however, the launch window has not yet been determined. The Lockheed Martin Atlas II launch vehicle is at the factory in Denver, Colorado undergoing final assembly. Arrival of the booster at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is anticipated to occur in mid-September. (July 3, 2002 status report) |
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Page Last Revised |
Page & Curator Information |
12/11/2002 |
Curator:
Kay Grinter (kay.grinter-1@ksc.nasa.gov) /
InDyne, Inc. |