Status Report

H-IIA F3 Daily Report, 07-09-2002

By SpaceRef Editor

September 7, 2002

Filed under H-II, Japan, National Space Development Agency of Japan

Y-2 Countdown Operations are on Schedule — 3 days before a launch —

We have only three more days to the launch day of September 10 (Tue).

Y-2 (=L-2, two days prior to the launch) operations are smoothly
progressing. Today’s operations started at 5:00 a.m. with pyrotechnics
connection followed by second stage gas jet propellant loading, and other
tasks. The Data Relay Test Satellite (DRTS) and Unmanned Space Experiment
Recovery System (USERS) Spacecraft are in stable condition on top of H-IIA
Launch Vehicle No.3 (H-IIA F3).

About 400 launch operators were involved in today’s countdown operations at
the Tanegashima Space Center.

Countdown Operations Schedule

Y-3 (L-3) / September 6 (Fri) [Launch Vehicle] First and second stage propulsion systems inspection, electrical system inspection
Y-2 (L-2) / September 7 (Sat) [Launch Vehicle] Pyrotechnics connection, 2nd stage gas-jet propellant loading
[Payloads] DRTS battery charge
Y-1 (L-1) / September 8 (Sun) [Launch Vehicle] Facility preparation, mechanical system/umbilical separation system final preparation
[Payloads] DRTS battery charge
Y-0 (L-0)/ September 9 (Mon) [Payloads] DRTS and USERS battery charge, arming operations (pyrotechnics connection)
Y-0 (L-0)/ September 10 (Tue) [Launch Vehicle] Launch pad facility final preparation, propulsion system final preparation, moving the launch vehicle, terminal countdown
[Payloads] DRTS battery charge, final close
USERS battery charge, final close

* Y-0 (L-0) countdown operations will start in the late evening of the
previous day of the launch day

Weather information/forecast

Wind direction/velocity weather highest/lowest temperature warning

Today, Sep. 7 (Sat) North-east wind of 5 to 6 meters/second, then East-north-east 3 to 6 m/s Cloudy with occasional sun shine and shower 30°C 24°C –

Tomorrow, Sep 8 (Sun) East-north-east wind of 2 to 4 m/s Sunny with some cloud 30°C 25°C –

Day after tomorrow, Sep. 9 (Mon) North wind of 3 to 5 m/s Sunny 31°C 25°C –

Launch day, Sep. 10 (Tue) North then East-north-east wind of 5 to 6 m/s Sunny with some cloud 30°C 24°C –