Spacecraft and Expendable Launch Vehicles Status Report 21 May 2003
George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center
321/867-2468
MISSION: Mars Exploration Rover (MER-A vehicle/MER-2 rover)
LAUNCH VEHICLES: Delta II
LAUNCH PADS: 17-A
LAUNCH DATES: June 5, 2003
LAUNCH TIMES: 2:16 p.m. / 2:55:29 p.m. EDT
Three days of spin balance testing of MER-2 is scheduled to
conclude today. The spacecraft was fueled on May 11. The Delta third
stage, the upper stage that will propel the spacecraft on an interplanetary
trajectory, arrived at the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF)
yesterday, Tuesday, May 20. MER-2 will be mated to the third stage on
Friday, May 23. On Saturday, work will begin to install the spacecraft into
the transportation canister in preparation for going to the launch pad next
Tuesday, May 27.
MER-2 aboard the MER-A Delta II launch vehicle will have two
launch opportunities each day during the launch period that closes on June
19. Arrival at Mars is set for Jan 4, 2004, regardless of the launch date
within that period.
On Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the Simulated Flight Test
(SimFlight) that includes a checkout of the launch vehicle’s avionics system
and electrical system is under way today.
The Delta first stage for MER-A was erected on Pad 17-A on April
23. The second stage erection was completed on April 28, and the fairing
was installed in the white room on April 30. The solid rocket booster
erection began on May 13 with the first set of three motors being attached
to the first stage. The second set of three was erected on May 14, and the
final set was hoisted into position on May 15.
MISSION: Mars Exploration Rover (MER-B vehicle/MER-1 rover)
LAUNCH VEHICLE: Delta II Heavy
LAUNCH PAD: 17-B
LAUNCH DATE: June 25, 2003
LAUNCH TIME: 12:38:16 a.m. / 1:19:19 a.m. EDT
The MER-1 lander was mated to the cruise stage yesterday, May 20.
Fueling of MER-1 is scheduled for May 27-28, spin balance testing on May 29,
mating to the Delta third stage on June 14, and transportation to the launch
pad for mating to the Delta on June 15.
The MER-B vehicle’s first stage is on Pad 17-B. Erecting the nine
solid rocket boosters in sets of three a day began yesterday, May 20. The
second set of three is being erected today and the final set will be
installed tomorrow, May 22. The second stage will be hoisted atop the first
stage on May 28.
The MER-B launch period closes July 15.
MISSION: SCISAT-1/Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment
LAUNCH VEHICLE: Pegasus XL
LAUNCH FACILITY: Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
LAUNCH DATE: NET July 25, 2003
LAUNCH TIME: 10:36:55 – 11:34:04 p.m. PDT
The SCISAT spacecraft is completing final testing at the Canadian
Space Agency’s David Florida Laboratories. The pre-ship review prior to
transportation of the spacecraft to Vandenberg Air Force Base is to be held
near the end of the month. It is currently scheduled to arrive at
Vandenberg on June 19.
SCISAT-1 weighs approximately 330 pounds and will be placed in a
400-mile-high polar orbit to investigate processes that control the
distribution of ozone in the upper atmosphere.
Meanwhile, the Pegasus XL rocket is undergoing prelaunch
preparations at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California by Orbital Sciences
Corporation.
The scientific mission of SCISAT-1/ACE (Atmospheric Chemistry
Experiment) mission is to measure and understand the chemical processes that
control the distribution of ozone in the Earth’s atmosphere, particularly at
high altitudes. The data from the satellite will provide Canadian and
international scientists with improved measurements relating to global ozone
processes and help policy makers assess existing environmental policy and
develop protective measures for improving the health of our atmosphere,
preventing further zone depletion. The mission is designed to last two
years.
MISSION: Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF)
LAUNCH VEHICLE: Delta II Heavy
LAUNCH PAD: 17-B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
LAUNCH DATE: Aug. 27, 2003
LAUNCH TIME: TBD
The SIRTF observatory is in NASA’s class 10,000 laminar flow clean
room at spacecraft Hangar AE awaiting its return to the launch pad,
currently anticipated to occur in mid-August.
Project management of SIRTF for NASA is by the Jet Propulsion
Laboratory. The observatory has been built for NASA by Lockheed Martin and
Ball Aerospace.
