Launch of Genesis Postponed to no earlier than Aug 1

The launch of NASA’s Genesis spacecraft aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket has
been postponed to no earlier than Wednesday, Aug. 1.

The spacecraft contains two power supply components, one within each of the
two Startrackers, similar to components that recently failed during a
simulated space radiation environment test unrelated to Genesis. NASA and
the Genesis project decided today that additional time is needed for further
test and evaluation to provide assurance that the flight hardware on Genesis
will be able to meet the requirements of the mission.

“We feel confident that the components on the spacecraft will meet the
mission requirements,” said Chet Sasaki, Genesis Project Manager from the
Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

“The testing being done at Lockheed Martin in Denver will subject the
components to higher doses of radiation than they would normally be expected
to see in space. We anticipate the tests will give us confidence that the
Genesis spacecraft has adequate margins,” added Sasaki.

On Aug. 1, the two-minute launch window opens at 12:31:38 p.m. EDT.

NOTES TO EDITORS: On launch day, Wednesday, Aug. 1, media desiring to
attend the photo opportunity for the rollback of the Mobile Service Tower at
Pad 17-A should be at the Gate 1 Pass & Identification Building at 6 a.m.
Media covering launch should be at the Gate 1 Pass & Identification Building
at 11 a.m. Genesis launch coverage on NASA Television begins at 11 a.m. EDT.