[meteorite-list] Phoenix/Dawn Update - July 20, 2007

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Fri, 20 Jul 2007 14:04:58 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <200707202104.OAA20104_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

07.20.07

George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468

STATUS REPORT: ELV-072007

EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT

Mission: Phoenix
Location: Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility
Launch Pad: 17-A
Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7925
Launch Date: Aug. 3, 2007
Launch Time: 5:35:18 a.m. EDT

Mating of Phoenix to the upper-stage booster occurred Tuesday, July
17.

Spacecraft engineers installed the heat shield onto the cruise stage
Thursday, July 19. This was the last major milestone in spacecraft
processing before going to the launch pad.

Technicians are installing the integrated Phoenix payload into the
payload transportation canister today.

Phoenix will be transported to Pad 17-A for mating to the Delta II on
Monday, July 23.

At Pad 17-A, a simulated flight test of the Delta II was performed on
Tuesday, July 17. This is an electrical and mechanical test of all
events that the first and second stage of the vehicle will perform
during ascent.

A "LOX leak check" was conducted on Wednesday, July 18. This involves
loading the Delta II first stage with liquid oxygen to verify its
integrity and also serves as a countdown certification for the launch
team.


Mission: Dawn
Location: Pad 17-B
Launch Pad: 17-B
Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7925-H
Launch Timeframe: September

Dawn remains atop the Delta II launch vehicle at Pad 17-B. The
spacecraft will be removed from the launch vehicle on Saturday, July
21, and returned to the Astrotech payload processing facility near
NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

A firm date for launch is still being determined based on the launch
window for the science of the mission, the availability of the
Eastern Range and the necessary tracking, data and telemetry support.
The launch opportunity extends from Sept. 7 to Oct. 15.

Previous status reports are available on the Web at:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/status/2007

        
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Received on Fri 20 Jul 2007 05:04:58 PM PDT