NASA Expendable Launch Vehicle Status Report 12 Aril 2006

Mission: Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation and CloudSat (CALIPSO/CloudSat)
Launch Site: NASA’s Space Launch Complex 2, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Vehicle: Boeing Delta II
Launch Date: April 21, 2006
Launch Time: 6:02:08 a.m. EDT

NASA transported CALIPSO and CloudSat from the Astrotech payload processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., to the launch complex on April 8. The payload was hoisted and attached to the top of the Delta II rocket.

The Flight Program Verification, an integrated electrical and mechanical flight test involving the Delta II and the CALIPSO/CloudSat payload, was successfully completed today. Following the test, technicians began installation of the launch vehicle ordnance. Payload closeouts are planned for Thursday. Installation of the fairing around the two spacecraft is scheduled for Friday.

For more information about CALIPSO/CloudSat, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/calipso or http://www.nasa.gov/cloudsat

Previous status reports are available on the Web at:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/status/2006