NASA Expendable Launch Vehicle Status Report 16 October 2009

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/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/status/index.html