MAP prelaunch status report L-2 Days 28 June 2001

The launch of NASA’s MAP spacecraft aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket is on
schedule for 3:46 p.m. EDT on Saturday, June 30.

Loading of storable propellants aboard the Delta second stage is under way
today at Pad B on Launch Complex 17. The fueling was delayed until
mid-afternoon due to local weather conditions. The activity is expected to
be completed by midnight.

Also today in the Mission Director’s Center, Launch Vehicle Data Center, and
Delta Launch Control Center, a countdown dress rehearsal was successfully
conducted.

Tomorrow the Boeing Delta II will be powered on, the guidance system will be
updated with launch azimuth information, and the vehicle closeouts will be
performed. Also, the access port in the MAP payload fairing will be closed
and sealed.

The mobile service tower will be retracted from around the vehicle at 9:30
a.m. on Saturday morning. The loading of the Delta first stage RP-1 fuel
will begin at 1:06 p.m., followed by loading of the liquid oxygen at 1:56
p.m.

The weather forecast for Saturday calls for a 40% chance of not meeting the
launch weather criteria due to the proximity of thunderstorms or associated
anvil clouds which must be not closer than ten miles from the pad. At
launch time, scattered low level and upper level clouds are predicted, a
temperature of 87 degrees, relative humidity of 68%, and southeasterly winds
of 10-12 knots. Should launch be postponed for 24 hours, the chance of not
meeting the launch weather criteria remains at 40%.

The 12-minute launch window on Saturday, June 30, extends from 3:46:46 to
3:58:46 p.m.

If necessary, the launch window on Sunday, July 1, extends from 3:40:11 to
3:52:11 p.m.