[Waspie_Dwarf]

Aug. 17, 2009

George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
george.h.diller@nasa.gov

STATUS REPORT: ELV-081709

Expendable Launch Vehicle Status Report

Mission: Space Tracking and Surveillance System - Demonstrators Program (STSS-Demo)
Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7920-10
Launch Pad: Launch Pad 17 B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Launch Date: Sept. 15, 2009
Launch Window: 8 - 9 p.m. EDT

At Pad 17-B, work has been on hold while the launch team focused on an Air Force Delta II on adjacent Pad 17-A. The vehicle launched at 6:35 a.m. EDT with the final Air Force Global Positioning System navigation satellite in the current GPS IIR series. This week the launch team will begin processing for STSS-Demo.



Spacecraft: Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)
Launch Vehicle: Atlas V-401
Launch Pad: Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Launch Date: Dec. 4, 2009

The SDO full observatory comprehensive performance test has been conducted to fully test all of the spacecraft science instruments. The test is the last major evaluation before launch.

The Ka-band RF downlink checkouts are complete. The instrument module has been cleaned, and a visual inspection for the Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment was performed.



Spacecraft: Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE)
Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7320
Launch Pad: SLC-2, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Date: Dec. 10, 2009 (tentative)

Ground support equipment for the WISE spacecraft arrived at Vandenberg on Aug. 10 and will be processed in the Astrotech payload processing facility located on north Vandenberg. WISE arrived on Aug. 14 and was offloaded and lifted out of its transportation canister on Saturday.

This week, the spacecraft is scheduled to be transferred to a work stand to begin processing for launch.

WISE will survey the entire sky in the mid-infrared with far greater sensitivity than any previous mission ever has. The WISE survey will capture over a million images, from which hundreds of millions of astronomical objects will be catalogued, providing a vast storehouse of knowledge about the Solar System, the Milky Way, and the Universe.



Previous status reports are available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/...atus/index.html

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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source: NASA - ELV Status Report 081709

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Aug. 21, 2009

George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
george.h.diller@nasa.gov

STATUS REPORT: ELV-082109

Expendable Launch Vehicle Status Report

Mission: Space Tracking and Surveillance System - Demonstrators Program (STSS-Demo)
Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7920-10
Launch Pad: Launch Pad 17 B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Launch Date: Sept. 15, 2009
Launch Window: 8 - 9 p.m. EDT

Now that the launch of the Air Force Global Positioning System navigation satellite was accomplished successfully on Aug. 17 from Pad 17A, work has resumed on Pad 17B. The Delta II was powered on this week for state of health checks and associated testing. Configuring the pad for launch is also under way.

The STSS Demo payload is planned to arrive at the pad for hoisting atop the Delta II next week. Spacecraft ground support equipment is being brought to the pad this week in preparation for spacecraft arrival.



Spacecraft: Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)
Launch Vehicle: Atlas V-401
Launch Pad: Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Launch Date: No Earlier Than Dec. 4, 2009

The SDO full observatory comprehensive performance test was completed on Aug. 15. This was the last major test of all the spacecraft science instruments before launch. A verification test of the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager was also successfully performed this week.

The three primary science instruments are currently powered for a Ka-band data flow checkout.



Spacecraft: Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE)
Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7320
Launch Pad: SLC-2, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Date: Dec. 7, 2009 (tentative)

At the Astrotech payload processing facility on north Vandenberg, WISE has been transferred to a work stand to begin processing for launch. The batteries are currently being charged in preparation for the start of spacecraft functional testing on Aug. 24. The testing will require approximately ten days.



Previous status reports are available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/...atus/index.html

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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source: NASA - ELV Status Report 082109

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Aug. 21, 2009

George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
george.h.diller@nasa.gov

STATUS REPORT: ELV-082109

Expendable Launch Vehicle Status Report

Mission: Space Tracking and Surveillance System - Demonstrators Program (STSS-Demo)
Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7920-10
Launch Pad: Launch Pad 17 B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Launch Date: Sept. 15, 2009
Launch Window: 8 - 9 p.m. EDT

The Delta II was powered on last week for state of health checks and associated testing. Configuring the pad for launch also is under way.

The STSS Demo payload arrived at the launch pad for hoisting atop the Delta II on Aug. 27. Spacecraft ground support equipment also arrived at the pad this week.



Spacecraft: Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)
Launch Vehicle: Atlas V-401
Launch Pad: Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Launch Date: No Earlier Than Dec. 4, 2009

A verification test of the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager was successfully performed last week. The three primary science instruments were powered up for a Ka-band data flow checkout, and closeouts are in work. The Atmospheric Imaging Assembly high output paraffin actuator door deployment test was completed on Aug. 25.



Spacecraft: Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE)
Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7320
Launch Pad: SLC-2, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Date: Dec. 7, 2009

At the Astrotech payload processing facility on north Vandenberg, WISE has been transferred to a work stand to begin processing for launch. Battery conditioning, spacecraft cleaning and post-ship functional testing were completed on Aug. 25. The spacecraft functional testing began on Aug. 24 and is expected to be complete in approximately seven days.



Previous status reports are available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/...atus/index.html

- end -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source: NASA - ELV Status Report 083109

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Sept. 4, 2009

George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
george.h.diller@nasa.gov

STATUS REPORT: ELV-090409

Expendable Launch Vehicle Status Report

Mission: Space Tracking and Surveillance System - Demonstrators Program (STSS-Demo)
Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7920-10
Launch Pad: Launch Pad 17 B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Launch Date: No Earlier Than Sept. 17, 2009
Launch Window: 8 - 9 p.m. EDT

Prelaunch preparations at Pad 17B are going well and are on schedule. The Flight Program Verification took place Friday. This is an integrated electrical and mechanical test of the Delta II together with the STSS Demo payload that includes both countdown and flight event milestones.

The next major activity is the installation of the payload fairing around the STSS spacecraft next week on Sept. 9.



Spacecraft: Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)
Launch Vehicle: Atlas V-401
Launch Pad: Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Launch Date: Feb. 3, 2010

The launch of the Solar Dynamics Observatory is rescheduled to Feb. 3, 2010, to allow sufficient time to launch the other planned missions that are ahead of SDO on the Atlas V manifest.

On the evening of Sept. 2, a three-day SDO Launch/Mission Simulation came to a close. It began on Aug. 31 with a simulated launch, spacecraft separation from the Atlas V, solar array and antenna deployments, and a simulated contingency maneuver. The test was successful with only minor troubleshooting necessary.



Spacecraft: Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE)
Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7320
Launch Pad: SLC-2, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Date: Dec. 7, 2009

At the Astrotech payload processing facility on north Vandenberg, the WISE spacecraft functional testing was successfully completed early this week as planned. Simulated launch pad operations tests were performed on Sept. 1. These are functional tests associated with launch day spacecraft flight system power on and final configuration for launch. All were successfully completed.

Build-up of the Delta II at Space Launch Complex 2 is scheduled to begin on Oct. 19 with hoisting of the first stage into the launcher.



Previous status reports are available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/...atus/index.html

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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source: NASA - ELV Status Report 090409

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Sept. 11, 2009

George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
george.h.diller@nasa.gov

STATUS REPORT: ELV-091109

Expendable Launch Vehicle Status Report

Mission: Space Tracking and Surveillance System - Demonstrators Program (STSS-Demo)
Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7920-10
Launch Pad: Launch Pad 17 B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Launch Date: Sept. 18, 2009
Launch Window: 8 - 8:58 a.m. EDT

The STSS Demo spacecraft Interface Verification Test with the Delta II rocket and the spacecraft functional test that followed are both complete. The Flight Program Verification test, an electrical and mechanical test involving the Delta II and the spacecraft, has also been completed. The installation of the payload fairing around the STSS spacecraft is set for this weekend.

The Flight Readiness Review is scheduled for Sept. 14. Loading of the hypergolic propellants aboard the Delta II second stage will follow on Sept. 15. On Sept. 17 at 11 p.m., the mobile service tower will be pulled away from the Delta II rocket. On launch day, Sept. 18, the terminal countdown begins at 5:20 a.m. to start the loading of the RP-1 fuel and liquid oxygen aboard the Delta II first stage.



Spacecraft: Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE)
Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7320
Launch Pad: SLC-2, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Date: Dec. 7, 2009
Launch Window: 9:10 - 9:23 a.m. EST

At the Astrotech payload processing facility on north Vandenberg, the WISE spacecraft functional testing is complete. This week no work was scheduled to allow for crew crest after the longer work days required to support the ten days of spacecraft functional testing. Processing will resume next week.

Vandenberg Air Force Base experienced the effects of a 3.9 magnitude (light) earthquake at 4:22 a.m. PDT on Sept. 10. The epicenter was offshore in the Pacific Ocean approximately 9 miles west of Lompoc. WISE personnel performed an inspection of the spacecraft and no anomalies were noted. Also, nothing unusual was found after an inspection of the Astrotech payload processing facility.

Build-up of the Delta II at Space Launch Complex 2 is scheduled to begin on Oct. 19 with hoisting of the first stage into the launcher.



Spacecraft: Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)
Launch Vehicle: Atlas V-401
Launch Pad: Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Launch Date: Feb. 3, 2010
Launch Window: 10:53 - 11:53 a.m. EST

With the launch being rescheduled to Feb. 3, 2010, and major SDO testing complete, spacecraft processing has reached a logical point to begin a spacecraft dwell period. SDO and spacecraft ground test support equipment have been powered off. SDO has been placed within environmentally protective double coverings.



Previous status reports are available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/...atus/index.html

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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source: NASA - ELV Status Report 091109

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Sept. 18, 2009

George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
george.h.diller@nasa.gov

STATUS REPORT: ELV-091809

Expendable Launch Vehicle Status Report

Mission: Space Tracking and Surveillance System - Demonstrators Program (STSS-Demo)
Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7920-10
Launch Pad: Launch Pad 17 B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Launch Date: No earlier than Sept. 23, 2009
Launch Window: 8 - 9 a.m. EDT

To accommodate readiness of the STSS Demo spacecraft, the launch of the Delta II has been rescheduled for no earlier than Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 8 a.m. EDT. The launch window is 60 minutes in duration.

Loading of the hypergolic propellants aboard the Delta II second stage is scheduled for Sept. 20. The mission countdown dress rehearsal will also be performed that day. The Launch Readiness Review is to be held on Sept. 21.

On Sept. 22 at 11:30 p.m., the mobile service tower will be pulled away from the Delta II rocket. On launch day, Sept. 23, the terminal countdown begins at 5:20 a.m. to start the loading of the RP-1 fuel and liquid oxygen aboard the Delta II first stage.

At this time there is a 40 percent probability of not meeting the launch weather criteria during the one hour launch opportunity.



Spacecraft: Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE)
Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7320
Launch Pad: SLC-2, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Date: Dec. 7, 2009
Launch Window: 9:10 - 9:23 a.m. EST

At the Astrotech payload processing facility on north Vandenberg, WISE spacecraft testing continues. This week the Mission Sequence Test and Operational Readiness Test are under way and will conclude next week.

Build-up of the Delta II at Space Launch Complex 2 is scheduled to begin on Oct. 19 with hoisting of the first stage into the launcher.



Spacecraft: Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)
Launch Vehicle: Atlas V-401
Launch Pad: Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Launch Date: Feb. 3, 2010
Launch Window: 10:53 - 11:53 a.m. EST


With the launch being rescheduled to Feb. 3, 2010 the SDO spacecraft is in a dwell period at Astrotech. There is no testing or processing activity currently under way. Spacecraft launch preparations are currently planned to resume on Sept. 28.


Previous status reports are available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/...atus/index.html

- end -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source: NASA - ELV Status Report 091809

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Oct. 2, 2009

George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
george.h.diller@nasa.gov

STATUS REPORT: ELV-100209

Expendable Launch Vehicle Status Report

Spacecraft: Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE)
Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7320
Launch Pad: SLC-2, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Date: No earlier than Dec. 7, 2009
Launch Window: 6:10 - 6:23 a.m. PST

At the Astrotech payload processing facility on north Vandenberg, WISE spacecraft processing is going well and continues on schedule. The spacecraft instrument closeouts are under way. The spacecraft launch initiation test is complete. The spacecraft has also been weighed and mated to the payload attach fitting. A contamination inspection and cleaning is being performed.

Build-up of the Delta II at Space Launch Complex 2 is scheduled to begin on Oct. 19 with hoisting of the first stage into the launcher.

A brush fire has been under way near the Vandenberg main gate but has not had a significant impact on activities at NASA's Space Launch Complex 2 or on payload processing. The fire has been contained and is now burning only at a low level.



Spacecraft: Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)
Launch Vehicle: Atlas V-401
Launch Pad: Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Launch Date: Feb. 3, 2010
Launch Window: 10:53 - 11:53 a.m. EST

The SDO test team brought the spacecraft out of its dwell period at Astrotech this week to resume processing. Deployment testing of one of the instrument cover doors has been under way and was followed by instrument cleaning.

On Oct. 1, SDO was rotated to the vertical position in its handling fixture and then moved onto a vertical dolly in preparation for propulsion system testing and leak checks over the course of the next week.

The Atlas first stage booster is set to arrive by air at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Oct. 19, followed by the Centaur upper stage on Oct. 22.


Previous status reports are available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/...atus/index.html

- end -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source: NASA - ELV Status Report 100209

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Oct. 9, 2009

George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
george.h.diller@nasa.gov

STATUS REPORT: ELV-100909

Expendable Launch Vehicle Status Report

Spacecraft: Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE)
Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7320
Launch Pad: SLC-2, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Date: Dec. 7, 2009
Launch Window: 6:10 - 6:23 a.m. PST

At the Astrotech payload processing facility on north Vandenberg, WISE spacecraft testing is complete. Work now is beginning to prepare the spacecraft for loading of the cryogenic hydrogen which will be used to supercool the infrared telescope during its six months of observations.

Build-up of the Delta II rocket at Space Launch Complex 2 is scheduled to begin on Oct. 16 with hoisting of the first stage into the launcher.



Spacecraft: Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)
Launch Vehicle: Atlas V-401
Launch Pad: Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Launch Date: Feb. 3, 2010
Launch Window: 10:53 - 11:53 a.m. EST

Propulsion system testing and leak checks of the spacecraft are under way. The full observatory comprehensive performance test is complete.

The Atlas rocket first stage booster is set to arrive by air at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Oct. 26, followed by the Centaur upper stage on Oct. 29.


Previous status reports are available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/...atus/index.html

- end -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source: NASA - ELV Status Report 100909

This post has been edited by Waspie_Dwarf: 17 October 2009 - 12:16 AM
Reason for edit:: typo.

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Oct. 16, 2009

George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
george.h.diller@nasa.gov

STATUS REPORT: ELV-101609

Expendable Launch Vehicle Status Report

Spacecraft: Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE)
Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7320
Launch Pad: SLC-2, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Date: Dec. 7, 2009
Launch Window: 6:10 - 6:23 a.m. PST

At the Astrotech payload processing facility on north Vandenberg, work has been under way this week to set up the necessary ground support equipment for loading of the cryogenic hydrogen which will be used to supercool the infrared telescope during its six months of observations. The vacuum pumpdown of the spacecraft is now under way and will be followed by testing at cryogenic temperatures. This will be followed by two weeks of activity to load and then freeze the cryogenic hydrogen.

Build-up of the Delta II rocket at Space Launch Complex 2 now is scheduled to begin next week with hoisting of the first stage into the launcher on Monday. The three solid rocket boosters will then be attached on Oct. 21, and the second stage will be hoisted atop the first stage on Oct. 22.



Spacecraft: Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)
Launch Vehicle: Atlas V-401
Launch Pad: Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Launch Date: Feb. 3, 2010
Launch Window: 10:53 - 11:53 a.m. EST

Propulsion system testing and leak checks of the spacecraft were completed this week and went well with no issues reported. Some minor battery panel modifications are currently under way.

The Atlas rocket first stage booster is set to arrive by air at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Oct. 26, followed by the Centaur upper stage on Oct. 29.


Previous status reports are available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/...atus/index.html

- end -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source: NASA - ELV Status Report 101609

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Oct. 30, 2009

George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
george.h.diller@nasa.gov

STATUS REPORT: ELV-103009

Expendable Launch Vehicle Status Report

Spacecraft: Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE)
Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7320
Launch Pad: SLC-2, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Date: Dec. 7, 2009
Launch Window: 6:10 - 6:23 a.m. PST

Build-up of the Delta II rocket at Space Launch Complex 2 was completed last week as planned. Testing was conducted this week on the Tracking & Data Relay Satellite transmitter that will be tested on this Delta II for possible use on future missions.

At the Astrotech payload processing facility on north Vandenberg, work has been completed to test the spacecraft’s sensors at cryogenic temperatures. Work is now under way to load and then freeze the cryogenic hydrogen. This will be used to supercool the infrared telescope during its six months of observations. This work requires approximately two weeks and will be followed by one final week of spacecraft testing.



Spacecraft: Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)
Launch Vehicle: Atlas V-401
Launch Pad: Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Launch Date: Feb. 3, 2010
Launch Window: 10:53 - 11:53 a.m. EST

A light test of the solar array was conducted Oct. 29. Work to install spacecraft pyrotechnics is under way today.

The Atlas rocket first-stage booster arrived by air at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Oct. 26. The Centaur upper stage will arrive next week.


Previous status reports are available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/...atus/index.html

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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source: NASA - ELV Status Report 103009

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Nov 6, 2009

George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
george.h.diller@nasa.gov

STATUS REPORT: ELV-110609

Expendable Launch Vehicle Status Report

Spacecraft: Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE)
Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7320
Launch Pad: SLC-2, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Date: Dec. 7, 2009
Launch Window: 6:10 - 6:23 a.m. PST

Testing has been conducted successfully on the Tracking & Data Relay Satellite transmitter that will be used on the rocket. It will relay vehicle data to the ground during the launch and will be evaluated for possible use on future Delta II missions from Vandenberg. Second stage propellant system qualification testing has been completed. Three days of guidance and control system checks are currently under way. The Delta II flight simulation is currently scheduled for Nov. 11. The first stage will be loaded with liquid oxygen on Nov. 12 for leak checks and associated testing.

At the Astrotech payload processing facility on north Vandenberg, work continues to load and then freeze the cryogenic hydrogen. This activity is approximately 60 percent complete and will continue for about another week. This will be used to supercool the infrared telescope during its six months of observations. There then will be one final week of spacecraft testing before work begins to prepare WISE to move to the launch pad for integration with the Delta II.



Spacecraft: Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)
Launch Vehicle: Atlas V-401
Launch Pad: Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Launch Date: Feb. 3, 2010
Launch Window: 10:53 - 11:53 a.m. EST

Prelaunch testing is nearing completion that leads to the milestone of fueling the spacecraft in early January. As an outcome of electrical testing, the SDO test team currently is doing analysis of the spacecraft grounding system.

The Atlas rocket first-stage booster arrived by air at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Oct. 26. The Centaur upper stage is now scheduled to arrive in the late afternoon or early evening on Nov 16 and be offloaded the following morning on Nov. 17..


Previous status reports are available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/...atus/index.html

- end -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source: NASA - ELV Status Report 110609

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Nov 17, 2009

George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
george.h.diller@nasa.gov

STATUS REPORT: ELV-111709

Expendable Launch Vehicle Status Report

Spacecraft: Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE)
Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7320
Launch Pad: SLC-2, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Date: no earlier than Dec. 9, 2009
Launch Window: 6:10 - 6:23 a.m. PST

The launch of WISE aboard the Delta II is being rescheduled by approximately two days. A launch date of Dec. 9 currently is under review. This additional time will allow sufficient time for a review of flight data from a Delta IV to be launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station planned early in the first week of December.

The Delta II flight simulation was conducted successfully on Nov. 11. The first stage was loaded with liquid oxygen on Nov. 12 for leak checks and associated launch vehicle testing. There were no issues or concerns with the Delta II rocket.

At the Astrotech payload processing facility on north Vandenberg, work is complete to load and then freeze the cryogenic hydrogen. This hydrogen will be used to supercool the infrared telescope during its six months of observations. There is one final week of spacecraft testing which is under way. Work will then begin to prepare WISE to move to the launch pad on or about Nov. 20 for integration with the Delta II.



Spacecraft: Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)
Launch Vehicle: Atlas V-401
Launch Pad: Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Launch Date: Feb. 3, 2010
Launch Window: 10:53 - 11:53 a.m. EST

At the Astotech Space Operations Center, deployment testing of the SDO high gain antennas and solar arrays is complete. On Nov. 18, they will be stowed for flight.

The Atlas rocket first-stage booster arrived by air at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Oct. 26. The Centaur upper stage is scheduled to arrive and be offloaded Wednesday morning.


Previous status reports are available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/...atus/index.html

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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source: NASA - ELV Status Report 111709