NASA Expendable Launch Vehicle Status Report 17 April 2009
Mission: Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES-O)
Launch Vehicle: Delta IV
Launch Pad: Launch Complex 37, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Launch Date: No earlier than May 12, 2009
Launch Window: TBD
On the Delta IV rocket at Launch Complex 37, troubleshooting after
last week’s wet dress rehearsal and tanking test revealed a leak in a
fitting in the first stage liquid oxygen vent system. The fitting has
been replaced. A liquid oxygen engine cutoff sensor assembly has also
been replaced as an outcome of the test. A repeat of the wet dress
rehearsal is planned for April 21.
At the Astrotech Space Operations Facility, the GOES-O spacecraft is
enclosed in the payload fairing. Spacecraft battery testing and
limited battery charging activities have been under way. Closeouts to
the fairing are continuing. The spacecraft currently is planned to be
transported from Astrotech to Launch Complex 37 for mating to the
Delta IV on April 25.
Launch remains targeted to occur no earlier than May 12. The date will
be adjusted accordingly based on the readiness of the Delta IV, the
status of space shuttle Atlantis’ STS-125 mission launch and the
availability of the Eastern Range.
Boeing Satellite Systems built the GOES-O spacecraft with the
commercial launch service being provided to Boeing by United Launch
Alliance. The NASA Launch Services Program at Kennedy is supporting
the launch in an advisory role. NASA spacecraft project management
for GOES-O is the responsibility of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight
Center. After launch, once Boeing and NASA have completed on-orbit
checkout and the spacecraft is operational, it will be turned over to
NOAA.
Mission: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter/Lunar Crater Observation and
Sensing Satellite (LRO/LCROSS)
Launch Vehicle: Atlas V
Launch Pad: Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Launch Date: No earlier than June 2, 2009
Launch Window: TBD
LRO spacecraft testing continues. This week the high gain antenna and
solar arrays were deployed for “range of motion,” or gimbal,
tests.The high gain antenna was then stowed for flight. The solar
arrays were stowed and are scheduled to be attached to the spacecraft
April 20. Installation of thermal blankets is also under way.
The LCROSS spacecraft will begin preparations for fueling on April 24.
LRO will begin fuel loading on May 5.
The Atlas V rocket is scheduled to be moved from the hangar at the
Atlas Space Operations Facility to the Vertical Integration Facility
near the launch pad on April 22 for Atlas Centaur integration.
