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

[Ron Baalke]

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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