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

[Ron Baalke]

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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