NASA Expendable Launch Vehicle Status Report 21 March 2008

Mission: GLAST (Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope)
Location: Astrotech payload processing facility
Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7920-H
Launch Pad: 17-B
Launch Date: May 16, 2008
Launch Window: 11:45 a.m. – 1:40 p.m. EDT

Twin solar arrays were attached to the GLAST spacecraft on Thursday, March 20. A solar array deployment test is under way today and will be followed by a solar array illumination test on April 2. A continuation of the spacecraft comprehensive performance tests is planned for next week. This will include end-to-end communications testing through the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) system.

At Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, buildup of the Delta II rocket will begin Monday, March 24, with the hoisting of the first stage. Work to attach the nine strap-on solid rocket boosters will follow, continuing throughout the week. Stacking of the second stage is currently planned for April 3.

Previous status reports are available on the Web at:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/status/2008