NASA Expendable Launch Vehicle Status Report 20 October 2006

Mission: STEREO
Launch Pad: 17-B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Launch Vehicle: Boeing Delta II
Launch Date: Oct. 25, 2006
Launch Time: 8:38 – 8:53 p.m. EDT

STEREO, at Pad 17-B atop the Boeing Delta II rocket, was encapsulated into the Delta II fairing on Thursday. The second stage is scheduled to be loaded with storable propellants on Monday, Oct. 23. Because this is a hazardous operation, the launch pad will be closed to all other work.

The Delta II flight program verification, a complete integrated electrical and mechanical test with STEREO and the rocket, was successfully completed on Monday. There are no significant launch vehicle or spacecraft issues or concerns at this time.

On launch day, Oct. 25, the gantry-like mobile service tower is scheduled to be retracted from around the Delta II at 11:15 a.m. The terminal countdown procedure begins at 5:38 p.m. Engineers are scheduled to begin loading the first stage with RP-1, a highly refined kerosene fuel, at 5:58 p.m. The launch team will load the first stage with liquid oxygen 50 minutes later at 6:48 p.m. Liftoff is scheduled for 8:38 p.m. at the opening of a 15-minute launch window.

Previous status reports are available on the Web at:

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