Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) Launch Status 14 Apr 2003

MISSION: Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF)

• LAUNCH VEHICLE: Delta II Heavy
• LAUNCH PAD: 17-B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
• LAUNCH DATE: April 27, 2003
• LAUNCH TIME: 4:25:01 a.m. EDT

It has been determined that additional time is needed to complete
launch readiness evaluations for the Delta II launch vehicle prior to
holding the Flight Readiness Review. Therefore, the launch of SIRTF is
being rescheduled to occur on April 27, 2003, at 4:25:01 a.m. EDT.

On April 10 at Pad 17-B, the Delta II payload fairing was installed
around the SIRTF spacecraft. Servicing of the observatory with cryogenic
helium will begin next week.

SIRTF was transported from Hangar AE to launch pad 17-B and mated
to the Boeing Delta II rocket on Saturday, April 5. An interface
verification test to assure that electrical and mechanical connections have
been properly established was successfully completed on Sunday, April 6.
This was followed by a successful spacecraft state of health check.

A flight simulation to test the vehicle’s systems that will
operate during powered flight was completed April 3. An RP-1 leak check of
the first stage that involves loading of the highly refined kerosene fuel
was completed April 4.
The Flight Program Verification, an integrated test of the vehicle and the
spacecraft that is the final major test before launch, was successfully
completed April 7.

Project management of SIRTF for NASA is by the Jet Propulsion
Laboratory. The observatory is built by Lockheed Martin and Ball Aerospace.