[meteorite-list] NPP/MSL Update - October 25, 2011

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2011 10:34:25 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <201110251734.p9PHYPRN003287_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

Oct. 25, 2011

George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
george.h.diller at nasa.gov

STATUS REPORT: ELV-102511

EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT

Spacecraft: NPP (NPOESS Preparatory Project)
Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7920
Launch Site: Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Pad: Space Launch Complex 2
Launch Date: Oct. 28, 2011
Launch Window: 2:48:01 a.m. - 2:57:11 a.m. PDT (9 min., 10 sec.)
Orbital Altitude: 512 miles

At Vandenberg Air Force Base, the Flight Readiness Review was
successfully completed on Oct. 21. A launch countdown dress rehearsal
was conducted on Oct. 24. At NASA's Space Launch Complex 2, the Delta
II rocket second stage was loaded with its complement of storable
hypergolic propellants on Oct. 24-25.

In preparation for the terminal countdown, the RP-1 fuel will be
loaded aboard the first stage late in the afternoon on Oct. 27 and
will be followed immediately afterward by pulling the mobile service
tower away from the rocket. Loading liquid oxygen into the vehicle's
first stage is planned to begin shortly after 1 a.m. leading to the
targeted 2:48:01 a.m. PDT launch.

NPP represents a critical first step in building the next-generation
of Earth-observing satellites. NPP will carry the first of the new
sensors developed for this satellite fleet, now known as the Joint
Polar Satellite System (JPSS), to be launched in 2016. NPP is the
bridge between NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) satellites and the
forthcoming series of JPSS satellites. The mission will test key
technologies and instruments for the JPSS missions.


Spacecraft: Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity)
Launch Vehicle: Atlas V-541 (AV-028)
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Launch Pad: Space Launch Complex 41
Launch Date: Nov. 25, 2011
Launch Time: 10:25 a.m. EST

In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF), integration of the
Mars Science Laboratory into the Atlas V payload fairing is under way
this week. On Nov. 1, it will be hoisted atop the payload
transporter. MSL will be moved to Launch Complex 41 during the
overnight hours of Nov. 2.

Curiosity has 10 science instruments to search for evidence about
whether Mars has had environments favorable for microbial life,
including chemical ingredients for life. The unique rover will use a
laser to look inside rocks and release the gasses so that its
spectrometer can analyze and send the data back to Earth.

Previous status reports are available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/status/index.html
        
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Received on Tue 25 Oct 2011 01:34:25 PM PDT