NASA KSC Expendable Launch Vehicle Status Report 14 July 2010

Spacecraft: Glory
Launch Vehicle: Taurus XL 3110
Launch Site: Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Date: Nov. 22, 2010
Launch Time: 2:09 a.m. PST
Altitude/Inclination: 440 miles/98.2 degrees

The Taurus rocket is in Orbital Sciences Hangar 1555 located on north Vandenberg Air Force Base. Prelaunch processing of the vehicle is going well.

On stage 0, ordnance installation is beginning. On stage 1, thrust vector actuator installation continues. Cable installation on stages 1 and 3 has been completed. On stage 2, installation and connection of the first UHF communications antenna are finished. The second of the two antennas is being installed this week and then will be mated to the associated electrical cable harness. The next phase of second stage ordnance installation work began this week.

Range Safety equipment installation and associated interface verification checks are continuing. Cable connections with the launch vehicle ground support equipment are scheduled to be completed this week.

The Glory spacecraft is currently scheduled to arrive at Vandenberg on Oct. 12 to begin processing for launch.

Data from the Glory mission will allow scientists to better understand the Earth’s energy budget. An accurate description of the Earth’s energy budget is important in order to anticipate future changes to our climate. Shifts in the global climate and the associated weather patterns impact human life by altering landscapes and changing the availability of natural resources.

The Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor instrument will measure aerosols (human-caused and naturally occurring) to determine their relative influence on the global climate.

The Total Irradiance Monitor instrument will monitor the Sun to understand short-term solar mechanisms causing energy budget changes and will contribute to the vital long-term solar record.

Previous status reports are available at: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/status/index.html