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Commercial and US Government Launch Vehicles => ULA - Delta, Atlas, Vulcan => Topic started by: jacqmans on 07/17/2006 08:05 pm

Title: EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT, 17-07-2006
Post by: jacqmans on 07/17/2006 08:05 pm
07.17.06

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

STATUS REPORT: ELV-071706

EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT

Mission: STEREO (Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory)
Launch Pad: 17-B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Launch Vehicle: Boeing Delta II
Launch Date: No earlier than Aug. 20, 2006
Launch Time: 3:52 - 4:07 p.m. EDT

At the Astrotech Space Operations Facility, STEREO was moved to the
hazardous processing facility early last week for fueling, stacking
and spin-testing of the two observatories. During fueling of
Observatory A, one of the valves used to load the spacecraft with
hydrazine propellant was observed to be leaking from a secondary
seal. Technicians suspended the fueling and made adjustments to the
fuel line connection. Fueling operations resumed with no further
leakage. Both observatories are now completely fueled. However, as a
precaution, the two observatories have not been pressurized while
this problem is investigated. An anomaly team is working to fully
determine the reason for the problem and assess the integrity of the
valve.

For this reason, launch has been rescheduled for the opening of the
next launch window, no earlier than Aug. 20.

At Pad 17-B, the Delta II second stage was stacked atop the first
stage on July 13. The following day, the payload fairing was hoisted
into the pad cleanroom located at the upper levels of the mobile
service tower. Technicians are now performing standard prelaunch
electrical interface testing of the two stages and checking the
guidance system.

For previous expendable launch vehicle processing status reports,
visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/status/2006


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