NASA Expendable Launch Vehicle Status Report 18 May 2007

Mission: Dawn
Location: Astrotech Space Operations Facility
Launch Pad: 17-B
Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7925-H
Launch Date: Target June 30, 2007
Launch Window: 5:13:15 p.m. EDT

Preparations are under way for moving the Dawn spacecraft to an adjacent clean room high bay for solar array integration.

Next week, the two spacecraft solar arrays, each consisting of four panels, will be attached to the Dawn spacecraft and undergo deployment testing. A solar array lighting test also will be performed before the arrays are stowed for flight. This activity is scheduled for May 21-24.

The spacecraft will be moved to Astrotech’s Hazardous Processing Facility for fueling on May 26.

The Delta II first stage will be hoisted into the launcher at Pad 17-B on May 23 and attachment of the nine solid rocket boosters will begin.

Mission: Phoenix
Location: Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility
Launch Pad: 17-A
Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7925
Launch Date: Aug. 3, 2007
Launch Time: 5:35:18 a.m. EDT

The dry spin test of the spacecraft was successfully completed. A heat shield deployment test also was successfully conducted Wednesday.

The electrical power system final performance test was completed Thursday.

The flight software will be loaded aboard the spacecraft on May 21.

Compatibility testing with the Deep Space Network is scheduled for May 23-25.

In Hangar AO at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, gimbal slew tests of the Delta II first-stage main engine will be conducted next week. These are main engine steering checks using the first-stage hydraulic systems.

Previous status reports are available on the Web at:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/status/2007