[meteorite-list] Dawn/Phoenix Update - June 14, 2007

[Ron Baalke]

06.14.07

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

STATUS REPORT: ELV-061407

EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT

Mission: Dawn 
Location: Astrotech Space Operations Facility 
Launch Pad: 17-B 
Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7925-H 
Launch Date: July 7, 2007 
Launch Time: 4:09:31 - 4:36:22 p.m. EDT 

NASA is investigating a minor mishap affecting the Dawn spacecraft. On 
June 11, during a procedure to prepare the spacecraft for 
spin-balance testing, the back of a solar array panel was slightly 
damaged by a technician's tool. No solar cells were broken. The 
necessary minor repairs will be made this weekend. There is no impact 
to the launch date of July 7.

Loading of xenon for the ion propulsion system was completed last 
week. Hydrazine, used for spacecraft control and maneuvering, was 
loaded aboard June 10. The spacecraft was then weighed and placed on 
a spin table for a series of spin tests that are currently under way. 
Dawn will be mated to its associated upper-stage booster on June 21 
and transported to Pad 17-B for mating to the Delta II on June 26.

At Pad 17-B, the operations to attach the Delta II solid rocket 
boosters to the first stage are complete. The second stage is planned 
to be hoisted atop the first stage on Friday. 


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 

The cruise system verification test is complete.

The planned testing of the landing radar is complete for now and will 
be resumed later.

Next week, technicians will install the parachute and associated 
mortar and ordnance. The solar array also will be deployed on the 
cruise stage for a planned test.

The first stage of the Delta II will be hoisted into the launcher at 
Pad 17-A on June 18. 


Previous status reports are available on the Web at:

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