[meteorite-list] Dawn Launch Postponed 24 Hours to July 8

[Ron Baalke]

07.05.07

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

MEDIA ADVISORY: 35-07

LAUNCH OF DAWN POSTPONED 24 HOURS TO SUNDAY, JULY 8

The launch of NASA's Dawn spacecraft aboard a United Launch Alliance 
Delta II rocket has been postponed 24 hours.

A lightning advisory this morning precluded the start of the Delta II 
second stage fueling as scheduled. If weather remains unacceptable 
this afternoon, fueling will be performed on Friday. Also this 
morning, the temperature within the fairing caused the required 
temperature of the second stage to be too warm for fueling to begin. 
The fairing temperature is being lowered by 10 degrees so that 
oxidizer loading can begin this afternoon if weather is acceptable.

The countdown dress rehearsal scheduled for today has also been 
postponed until Friday.

The launch window on Sunday, July 8, extends from 4:04 to 4:33 p.m. 
EDT. The chance of not meeting the launch weather criteria on Sunday 
is 60 percent. Required launch telemetry assets downrange will be in 
place to support the launch.

The Dawn mission science briefing scheduled for Friday, July 6, will 
be held as scheduled starting at 1 p.m. EDT. The prelaunch press 
conference will be held on Saturday at 1 p.m. following the launch 
readiness review.

	
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