NASA Expendable Launch Vehicle Status Report 8 May 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 June 2009
Launch Window: TBD
The GOES-O launch aboard a Delta IV rocket from Space Launch Complex
37 currently is scheduled for no earlier than June 26. Recent
production lot testing of the linear shape charge system indicated
the need to incorporate minor design changes to assure their
reliability. The linear shape charge is a component of the Range
Safety command destruct system. There are three linear shape charges
on this Delta IV which will require a modification. Schedules are
being developed for the qualification and implementation of the
design modification.
At the Astrotech Space Operations Facility, the GOES-O spacecraft is
enclosed in the payload fairing. The spacecraft remains in excellent
health and is ready to be moved to the launch pad once a launch date
has been determined.
NASA has contracted with Boeing to build and launch the GOES-O
spacecraft. 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
Tuesday, the LRO and Kennedy Space Center Boeing fueling team
configured the fueling ground support equipment for propellant
loading. The LCROSS team moved the battery simulator to the Atlas V
payload van.
On May 2, the LRO team performed a pressurization test, a leak test
and a latch valve leak test.
The Atlas V booster stage was moved from the hangar at the Atlas Space
Operations Facility to the Vertical Integration Facility near the
launch pad on April 27. The Centaur was moved on April 29 and hoisted
atop the Atlas.
The LCROSS spacecraft was fueled on April 25. LRO fuel loading was
completed on May 5.
The three solar arrays were attached to LRO on April 19. Spacecraft
testing during the week of April 20 included a circuit check of the
solar arrays, a course sun sensor functional test, and phase testing
of the attitude control system.
Previous status reports are available at:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/status/index.html
