Author Topic: FAILED: Taurus XL, GLORY - March 4, 2011 - VAFB  (Read 214709 times)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: Taurus XL, GLORY - November 2010 - VAFB
« Reply #20 on: 08/20/2010 06:41 pm »
STATUS REPORT: ELV-082010

EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT

Spacecraft: Glory
Launch Vehicle: Taurus XL 3110
Launch Site:  Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Date:  Nov. 22, 2010
Launch Time: 2:09 a.m. PST
Altitude/Inclination: 440 miles/98.2 degrees

The Taurus rocket is in Orbital Sciences Hangar 1555 located on north
Vandenberg Air Force Base where integration and testing of the
vehicle's flight hardware components continue.

The first half of the payload fairing arrived at Vandenberg on Aug.
17. Cleaning is under way with testing to follow in preparation for
launch. Cable harness installation is also under way on stages 1 and
2. Stage 2 telemetry testing continues. Work to install the vehicle's
avionics section was completed this week. Thermal blanket
installation is under way on stage 0. The Vehicle Verification Test,
an electrical systems test, is scheduled to start on Aug. 25.

The Glory spacecraft currently is scheduled to arrive at Vandenberg on
or about Oct. 13 to begin processing for launch.

Data from the Glory mission will allow scientists to better understand
the Earth's energy budget. An accurate description of the Earth's
energy budget is important in order to anticipate future changes to
our climate. Shifts in the global climate and the associated weather
patterns impact human life by altering landscapes and changing the
availability of natural resources.

The Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor instrument will measure aerosols
(human-caused and naturally occurring) to determine their relative
influence on the global climate.

The Total Irradiance Monitor instrument will monitor the Sun to
understand short-term solar mechanisms causing energy budget changes
and will contribute to the vital long-term solar record.

Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: Taurus XL, GLORY - November 2010 - VAFB
« Reply #21 on: 08/27/2010 09:16 pm »
STATUS REPORT: ELV-082710

EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT

Spacecraft: Glory
Launch Vehicle: Taurus XL 3110
Launch Site:  Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Date:  Nov. 22, 2010
Launch Time: 2:09 a.m. PST
Altitude/Inclination: 440 miles/98.2 degrees

The Taurus rocket is in Orbital Sciences Hangar 1555 located on north
Vandenberg Air Force Base where integration and testing of the
vehicle's flight hardware components continue.

The Vehicle Verification Test, a test milestone in Taurus processing,
was conducted on Aug. 25 and was fully successful. Testing is under
way on the first half of the payload fairing that arrived at
Vandenberg on Aug. 17. Stage 2 telemetry testing continues and is
expected to conclude today. Testing of the Taurus flight computer has
been completed. Stages 1, 2 and 3 are currently scheduled to be mated
together during the second week of September. On Stage 0, mechanical
work and thermal blanket installation are continuing.

The Glory spacecraft currently is scheduled to arrive at Vandenberg on
or about Oct. 13 to begin processing for launch.

Data from the Glory mission will allow scientists to better understand
the Earth's energy budget. An accurate description of the Earth's
energy budget is important in order to anticipate future changes to
our climate. Shifts in the global climate and the associated weather
patterns impact human life by altering landscapes and changing the
availability of natural resources.

The Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor instrument will measure aerosols
(human-caused and naturally occurring) to determine their relative
influence on the global climate.

The Total Irradiance Monitor instrument will monitor the Sun to
understand short-term solar mechanisms causing energy budget changes
and will contribute to the vital long-term solar record.
Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: Taurus XL, GLORY - February 23, 2011 - VAFB
« Reply #22 on: 10/01/2010 04:38 pm »
STATUS REPORT: ELV-100110

EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT

Spacecraft: Glory
Launch Vehicle: Taurus XL 3110
Launch Site:  Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Date:  Feb. 23, 2011 (tentative)
Launch Time: 2:10 a.m. PST
Altitude/Inclination: 440 miles/98.2 degrees

The launch of the Glory spacecraft aboard a Taurus XL rocket has been
tentatively rescheduled from Nov. 22, 2010 to Feb. 23, 2011, subject
to confirmation by the Western Range. The new launch date provides
the necessary additional time required to complete preparations for
the rocket and the spacecraft.

The Taurus rocket is in Orbital Sciences Hangar 1555 on north
Vandenberg Air Force Base where integration and testing of the
vehicle's flight hardware components continue. Flight Simulation No.
1 has recently been completed and was fully successful. Thermal
blanket installation begins on Friday. The second half of the payload
fairing is scheduled to arrive on Oct. 6 to begin processing.
Avionics sub-system installation also is scheduled to begin at that
time. Stages 1 and 2 are scheduled to be attached in mid-October.

Data from the Glory mission will allow scientists to better understand
the Earth's energy budget. An accurate description of the Earth's
energy budget is important in order to anticipate future changes to
our climate. Shifts in the global climate and the associated weather
patterns impact human life by altering landscapes and changing the
availability of natural resources.

The Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor instrument will measure aerosols
(human-caused and naturally occurring) to determine their relative
influence on the global climate.

The Total Irradiance Monitor instrument will monitor the Sun to
understand short-term solar mechanisms causing energy budget changes
and will contribute to the vital long-term solar record.
« Last Edit: 10/02/2010 03:42 pm by jacqmans »
Jacques :-)

Offline Space Pete

Re: Taurus XL, GLORY - February 23, 2011 - VAFB
« Reply #23 on: 10/02/2010 02:13 pm »
A funny, film-trailer style NASA TV video about Glory.

"Glory and the Curse of the Black Carbon".
« Last Edit: 10/02/2010 03:43 pm by jacqmans »
NASASpaceflight ISS Editor

Offline jacqmans

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Re: Taurus XL, GLORY - February 23, 2011 - VAFB
« Reply #24 on: 10/08/2010 10:55 pm »
STATUS REPORT: ELV-100810

EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT

Spacecraft: Glory
Launch Vehicle: Taurus XL 3110
Launch Site:  Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Date:  Feb. 23, 2011
Launch Time: 2:10 a.m. PST
Altitude/Inclination: 440 miles/98.2 degrees

The Taurus rocket is in Orbital Sciences Hangar 1555 on north
Vandenberg Air Force Base where integration and testing of the
vehicle' flight hardware components continue. Avionics subsystem
installation is in work and application of thermal blankets to the
launch vehicle is under way. The second half of the payload fairing
is scheduled to arrive at Vandenberg on Oct. 13 to begin processing.
Work to mate Stage 1 to Stage 2 is planned to begin Oct. 14.

Data from the Glory mission will allow scientists to better understand
the Earth' energy budget. An accurate description of the Earth's
energy budget is important in order to anticipate future changes to
our climate. Shifts in the global climate and the associated weather
patterns impact human life by altering landscapes and changing the
availability of natural resources.

The Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor instrument will measure aerosols
(human-caused and naturally occurring) to determine their relative
influence on the global climate.

The Total Irradiance Monitor instrument will monitor the Sun to
understand short-term solar mechanisms causing energy budget changes
and will contribute to the vital long-term solar record.
Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: Taurus XL, GLORY - February 23, 2011 - VAFB
« Reply #25 on: 10/16/2010 07:23 am »
STATUS REPORT: ELV-101510

EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT

Spacecraft: Glory
Launch Vehicle: Taurus XL 3110
Launch Site:  Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Date:  Feb. 23, 2011
Launch Time: 2:10 a.m. PST
Altitude/Inclination: 440 miles/98.2 degrees

The Taurus rocket is in Orbital Sciences Hangar 1555 on north
Vandenberg Air Force Base where integration and testing of the
vehicle's flight hardware components continue. The second half of the
payload fairing arrived at Vandenberg on Oct. 13 to begin processing.
Avionics subsystem installation and application of thermal blankets
to the launch vehicle will continue next week. Work to mate Stage 1
to Stage 2 is scheduled to start Oct. 26.

Data from the Glory mission will allow scientists to better understand
the Earth' energy budget. An accurate description of the Earth's
energy budget is important in order to anticipate future changes to
our climate. Shifts in the global climate and the associated weather
patterns impact human life by altering landscapes and changing the
availability of natural resources.

The Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor instrument will measure aerosols
(human-caused and naturally occurring) to determine their relative
influence on the global climate. The Total Irradiance Monitor
instrument will monitor the Sun to understand short-term solar
mechanisms causing energy budget changes and will contribute to the
vital long-term solar record.

Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: Taurus XL, GLORY - February 23, 2011 - VAFB
« Reply #26 on: 10/22/2010 06:32 pm »
STATUS REPORT: ELV-102210

EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT

Spacecraft: Glory
Launch Vehicle: Taurus XL 3110
Launch Site:  Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Date:  Feb. 23, 2011
Launch Time: 2:10 a.m. PST
Altitude/Inclination: 440 miles/98.2 degrees

The Taurus rocket is in Orbital Sciences Hangar 1555 on north
Vandenberg Air Force Base where integration and testing of the
vehicle's flight hardware components continue. Avionics subsystem
installation and application of thermal blankets to the launch
vehicle are in work this week. Work to mate Stage 1 to Stage 2 is
scheduled to start Oct. 26. New flight software is planned to be
loaded aboard the vehicle during the first week of November in
preparation for a flight simulation planned to occur by mid-November.

Data from the Glory mission will allow scientists to better understand
the Earth' energy budget. An accurate description of the Earth's
energy budget is important in order to anticipate future changes to
our climate. Shifts in the global climate and the associated weather
patterns impact human life by altering landscapes and changing the
availability of natural resources.

The Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor instrument will measure aerosols
(human-caused and naturally occurring) to determine their relative
influence on the global climate.

The Total Irradiance Monitor instrument will monitor the Sun to
understand short-term solar mechanisms causing energy budget changes
and will contribute to the vital long-term solar record.

Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: Taurus XL, GLORY - February 23, 2011 - VAFB
« Reply #27 on: 10/29/2010 10:31 pm »
STATUS REPORT: ELV-102910

EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT

Spacecraft: Glory
Launch Vehicle: Taurus XL 3110
Launch Site:  Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Date:  Feb. 23, 2011
Launch Time: 2:10 a.m. PST
Altitude/Inclination: 440 miles/98.2 degrees

The Taurus rocket is in Orbital Sciences Hangar 1555 on north
Vandenberg Air Force Base where integration and testing of the
vehicle's flight hardware components continue. Avionics sub-system
component installation continues. Application of the avionics system
thermal blankets is nearing completion. Acoustic blankets are now
being applied to the forward end of the rocket's first stage solid
propellant motor. The initial testing on the vehicle fairing's
pyrotechnic system has been finished.

Work to mate Stage 1 to Stage 2 is tentatively planned to start during
the first week of November. New flight software is also planned to be
loaded aboard the Taurus vehicle next week in preparation for a
flight simulation planned to occur during the third week of November.

NASA has completed the work specified by the Taurus XL return to
flight corrective action plan. This work was reviewed and approved by
the NASA Flight Planning Board and concludes the return to flight
effort for NASA missions flying on the Taurus XL. This milestone
leads to the Launch Vehicle Launch Readiness Review scheduled to be
held at the Kennedy Space Center on Dec. 6.

Data from the Glory mission will allow scientists to better understand
the Earth' energy budget. An accurate description of the Earth's
energy budget is important in order to anticipate future changes to
our climate. Shifts in the global climate and the associated weather
patterns impact human life by altering landscapes and changing the
availability of natural resources.

The Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor instrument will measure aerosols
(human-caused and naturally occurring) to determine their relative
influence on the global climate.

The Total Irradiance Monitor instrument will monitor the Sun to
understand short-term solar mechanisms causing energy budget changes
and will contribute to the vital long-term solar record.

Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: Taurus XL, GLORY - February 23, 2011 - VAFB
« Reply #28 on: 11/10/2010 02:31 pm »
TATUS REPORT: ELV-111010

EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT

Spacecraft: Glory
Launch Vehicle: Taurus XL 3110
Launch Site:  Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Date:  Feb. 23, 2011
Launch Time: 2:10 a.m. PST
Altitude/Inclination: 440 miles/98.2 degrees

The Taurus rocket is in Orbital Sciences Hangar 1555 on north
Vandenberg Air Force Base where integration and testing of the
vehicle's flight hardware components continue. Work to mate Stage 1
to Stage 2 currently is planned for the week of Nov. 15. New flight
software then will be loaded aboard the Taurus vehicle in preparation
for a flight simulation that will follow.

Installation of the acoustic blankets to the forward end of the
rocket's first stage solid propellant motor is finished. Application
of the avionics system thermal blankets also is complete.

Data from the Glory mission will allow scientists to better understand
the Earth's energy budget. An accurate description of the Earth's
energy budget is important in order to anticipate future changes to
our climate. Shifts in the global climate and the associated weather
patterns impact human life by altering landscapes and changing the
availability of natural resources.

The Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor instrument will measure aerosols
(human-caused and naturally occurring) to determine their relative
influence on the global climate.

The Total Irradiance Monitor instrument will monitor the Sun to
understand short-term solar mechanisms causing energy budget changes
and will contribute to the vital long-term solar record.

Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: Taurus XL, GLORY - February 23, 2011 - VAFB
« Reply #29 on: 11/24/2010 07:09 pm »
STATUS REPORT: ELV-112410

EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT

Spacecraft: Glory
Launch Vehicle: Taurus XL 3110
Launch Site:  Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Date:  Feb. 23, 2011
Launch Time: 2:10 a.m. PST
Altitude/Inclination: 440 miles/98.2 degrees

The Taurus rocket is in Orbital Sciences Hangar 1555 on north
Vandenberg Air Force Base where integration and testing of the
vehicle's flight hardware components continue. Work to mate Stage 1
to Stage 2 was completed Nov. 15. New flight software was then loaded
aboard the Taurus launch vehicle, and a flight simulation is now
under way.

The avionics system batteries are being charged, and the vehicle's
reaction control system tanks are undergoing initial pressurization.
Installation of the acoustic blankets to the forward end of the
rocket's first stage solid propellant motor is finished. Application
of the avionics system thermal blankets is also complete.

Data from the Glory mission will allow scientists to better understand
the Earth's energy budget. An accurate description of the Earth's
energy budget is important in order to anticipate future changes to
our climate. Shifts in the global climate and the associated weather
patterns impact human life by altering landscapes and changing the
availability of natural resources.

The Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor instrument will measure aerosols
(human-caused and naturally occurring) to determine their relative
influence on the global climate.

The Total Irradiance Monitor instrument will monitor the Sun to
understand short-term solar mechanisms causing energy budget changes
and will contribute to the vital long-term solar record.

Jacques :-)

Offline TheFallen

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Re: Taurus XL, GLORY - February 23, 2011 - VAFB
« Reply #30 on: 11/25/2010 06:13 pm »
Hm.  I wonder when the Glory spacecraft itself will be transported to Vandenberg AFB and processed...

Offline TheFallen

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Re: Taurus XL, GLORY - February 23, 2011 - VAFB
« Reply #31 on: 12/02/2010 07:58 am »

Offline jacqmans

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Re: Taurus XL, GLORY - February 23, 2011 - VAFB
« Reply #32 on: 12/04/2010 08:49 am »
STATUS REPORT: ELV-120310

EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT

Spacecraft: Glory
Launch Vehicle: Taurus XL 3110
Launch Site:  Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Date:  Feb. 23, 2011
Launch Time: 2:09:43 a.m. PST
Altitude/Inclination: 440 miles/98.2 degrees

The Taurus rocket is in Orbital Sciences Hangar 1555 on north
Vandenberg Air Force Base where integration and testing of the
vehicle's flight hardware components continue. The C-band transponder
is being installed. Installation of the Stage 2 communications system
also is under way. Stage 0 ordnance installation is complete and the
associated thermal protection insulation is being put into place.

Data from the Glory mission will allow scientists to better understand
the Earth's energy budget. An accurate description of the Earth's
energy budget is important in order to anticipate future changes to
our climate. Shifts in the global climate and the associated weather
patterns impact human life by altering landscapes and changing the
availability of natural resources.

The Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor instrument will measure aerosols
(human-caused and naturally occurring) to determine their relative
influence on the global climate.

The Total Irradiance Monitor instrument will monitor the Sun to
understand short-term solar mechanisms causing energy budget changes
and will contribute to the vital long-term solar record.

Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: Taurus XL, GLORY - February 23, 2011 - VAFB
« Reply #33 on: 12/10/2010 06:20 pm »
STATUS REPORT: ELV-121010

EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT

Spacecraft: Glory
Launch Vehicle: Taurus XL 3110
Launch Site:  Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Date:  Feb. 23, 2011
Launch Time: 2:09:43 a.m. PST
Altitude/Inclination: 440 miles/98.2 degrees

The Taurus rocket is in Orbital Sciences Hangar 1555 on north
Vandenberg Air Force Base where integration and testing of the
vehicle's flight hardware components continue. Installation and
testing of the rocket's C-band transponder systems are in work.
Application of thermal insulation around the UHF communications
system on the second stage continues. The Stage 0 thermal protection
insulation is also being installed.

At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Taurus XL Launch
Vehicle Readiness Review was held on Dec. 6. The review was very
successful and keeps NASA and Orbital Sciences on track for a Feb. 23
launch.

Data from the Glory mission will allow scientists to better understand
the Earth's energy budget. An accurate description of the Earth's
energy budget is important in order to anticipate future changes to
our climate. Shifts in the global climate and the associated weather
patterns impact human life by altering landscapes and changing the
availability of natural resources.

The Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor instrument will measure aerosols
(human-caused and naturally occurring) to determine their relative
influence on the global climate.

The Total Irradiance Monitor instrument will monitor the Sun to
understand short-term solar mechanisms causing energy budget changes
and will contribute to the vital long-term solar record.

Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: Taurus XL, GLORY - February 23, 2011 - VAFB
« Reply #34 on: 12/17/2010 07:24 pm »
STATUS REPORT: ELV-121710

EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT

Spacecraft: Glory
Launch Vehicle: Taurus XL 3110
Launch Site:  Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Date:  Feb. 23, 2011
Launch Time: 2:09:43 a.m. PST
Altitude/Inclination: 440 miles/98.2 degrees

The Taurus rocket is in Orbital Sciences Hangar 1555 on north
Vandenberg Air Force Base where integration and testing of the
vehicle's flight hardware components is in work. Installation and
testing of the vehicle's C-band transponder systems continue. The
Ground Operations Review was held at Vandenberg on Dec. 9. This
meeting evaluated the readiness of the spacecraft processing
facilities to receive the Glory spacecraft next month and to begin
the prelaunch processing activities.

After the holidays, Pad 576-E on North Vandenberg will be opened to
prepare it for the arrival of Stage 0 that will be transported from
Orbital Sciences Hangar 1555. It is currently planned to be hoisted
into place at the pad on Jan. 18.

Data from the Glory mission will allow scientists to better understand
the Earth's energy budget. An accurate description of the Earth's
energy budget is important in order to anticipate future changes to
our climate. Shifts in the global climate and the associated weather
patterns impact human life by altering landscapes and changing the
availability of natural resources.

The Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor instrument will measure aerosols
(human-caused and naturally occurring) to determine their relative
influence on the global climate.

The Total Irradiance Monitor instrument will monitor the Sun to
understand short-term solar mechanisms causing energy budget changes
and will contribute to the vital long-term solar record.

Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: Taurus XL, GLORY - February 23, 2011 - VAFB
« Reply #35 on: 12/23/2010 02:17 pm »
STATUS REPORT: ELV-122310

EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT

Spacecraft: Glory
Launch Vehicle: Taurus XL 3110
Launch Site:  Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Date:  Feb. 23, 2011
Launch Time: 2:09:43 a.m. PST
Altitude/Inclination: 440 miles/98.2 degrees

The Taurus XL rocket is in Orbital Sciences Hangar 1555 on north
Vandenberg Air Force Base where integration and testing of the
vehicle's flight hardware components are in work. This week, the aft
end cone was attached to the Stage 1 solid rocket motor and was
followed by mating Stage 1 with Stage 2. Associated thermal blanket
installation is now under way. Stage 0 electrical and mechanical
closeouts are beginning, and the final thermal protection system
insulation is being applied.

After the holidays, Pad 576-E on north Vandenberg will be opened to
prepare it for the arrival of Stage 0 which will be transported from
the Orbital Sciences processing hangar. It currently is planned to be
hoisted into place at the pad on Jan. 18.

Data from the Glory mission will allow scientists to better understand
the Earth's energy budget. An accurate description of the Earth's
energy budget is important in order to anticipate future changes to
our climate. Shifts in the global climate and the associated weather
patterns impact human life by altering landscapes and changing the
availability of natural resources.

The Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor instrument will measure aerosols
(human-caused and naturally occurring) to determine their relative
influence on the global climate.

The Total Irradiance Monitor instrument will monitor the Sun to
understand short-term solar mechanisms causing energy budget changes
and will contribute to the vital long-term solar record.

Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: Taurus XL, GLORY - February 23, 2011 - VAFB
« Reply #36 on: 01/07/2011 08:17 pm »
STATUS REPORT: ELV-010711

EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT

Spacecraft: Glory
Launch Vehicle: Taurus XL 3110
Launch Site:  Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Date:  Feb. 23, 2011
Launch Time: 2:09:43 a.m. PST
Altitude/Inclination: 440 miles/98.2 degrees

The Taurus XL rocket is in Orbital Sciences Hangar 1555 on north
Vandenberg Air Force Base where integration and testing of the
vehicle's flight hardware components continue. Stages 1, 2 and 3 have
now been fully integrated. They were placed on the transportation
trailer this week in preparation for moving to Pad 576-E on north
Vandenberg later this month. Also this week, the launch pad was
opened to begin the work to prepare it for the arrival of Stage 0,
also currently in the Orbital Sciences processing hangar. It is set
to be hoisted into place on the pad Jan. 18.

In other work, the Fairing Deployment System was pressurized for
testing this week. At the completion of the work, the test was deemed
fully successful.

Data from the Glory mission will allow scientists to better understand
the Earth's energy budget. An accurate description of the Earth's
energy budget is important in order to anticipate future changes to
our climate. Shifts in the global climate and the associated weather
patterns impact human life by altering landscapes and changing the
availability of natural resources.

The Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor instrument will measure aerosols
(human-caused and naturally occurring) to determine their relative
influence on the global climate.

The Total Irradiance Monitor instrument will monitor the Sun to
understand short-term solar mechanisms causing energy budget changes
and will contribute to the vital long-term solar record.

Jacques :-)

Offline Ronsmytheiii

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Re: Taurus XL, GLORY - February 23, 2011 - VAFB
« Reply #37 on: 01/11/2011 02:02 am »
Quote
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In Orbital Sciences Corp. Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the first and second stage of the Taurus XL rocket is being loaded onto an Assembly Integration Trailer in preparation for moving to Pad 576-E on north Vandenberg later this month. The Orbital Sciences Taurus XL rocket, targeted to lift off Feb. 23, 2011, from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 576-E, will take NASA's Glory satellite into low Earth. Glory is scheduled to collect data on the properties of aerosols and black carbon. It also will help scientists understand how the sun's irradiance affects Earth's climate. Photo credit: NASA/Randy Beaudoin

http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=4

Offline jacqmans

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Re: Taurus XL, GLORY - February 23, 2011 - VAFB
« Reply #38 on: 01/11/2011 05:57 pm »
ORBITAL-BUILT GLORY EARTH SCIENCE SATELLITE ARRIVES AT VANDENBERG AIR FORCE
BASE LAUNCH SITE

-- Spacecraft Built for NASA to be Integrated With Company’s Taurus XL
Rocket for Launch in February --

(Dulles, VA 11 January 2011) -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB),
one of the world’s leading space technology companies, today announced that
the Glory satellite has arrived at Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA to be
integrated with the company’s Taurus® XL rocket that will launch the
satellite into low-Earth orbit in late February.  Built by Orbital for the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Glory satellite
is the latest in an extensive series of Earth science satellites that
Orbital has designed, developed, built and tested for NASA since the early
1980’s.

“Over the next month, Orbital’s spacecraft and launch vehicle teams will be
working together to prepare the Glory satellite and Taurus XL rocket for a
late February launch operation and satellite deployment,” said Mr. J.R.
Thompson, Orbital’s Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer.  “Following
its deployment and check-out, the Glory satellite will add to the
capabilities of NASA’s highly-productive ‘A-Train’ series of Earth sensing
spacecraft, which is an excellent example of how multiple distributed
satellites can provide valuable scientific returns at very reasonable
mission costs.”

Mr. Thompson added, “We look forward to contributing to NASA’s success in
gathering critical data on aerosols in the atmosphere and continuing to
provide spacecraft, launch vehicles and mission operations for solar
irradiance measurements.  The Glory mission builds on the heritage of our
ACRIMSAT and SORCE satellite programs, both of which were launched aboard
Orbital rockets, and could lead to our support of the future solar
monitoring mission as well.”

About the Glory Satellite

Orbital’s Space Systems Group designed, built and tested the Glory
satellite at its Dulles, VA satellite production facility.  It is based on
the company’s LeoStarTM small satellite bus that has served as the baseline
platform for several previous successful NASA science spacecraft programs,
including recent missions such as GALEX, SORCE and AIM.  The satellite
weighs approximately 1,160 lbs. (525 kg.) and features deployable solar
arrays, three-axis stabilization, and X-band and S-band communications
capabilities.

The Glory mission is being led by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center under
the direction of Project Manager Bryan Fafaul and Project Scientist Michael
Mishchenko.  The spacecraft carries two primary instruments, the Aerosol
Polarimetry Sensor (APS), which will measure aerosols in the atmosphere,
and the Total Irradiance Monitor (TIM), which will point toward the Sun and
continue a 32-year data record of the Sun’s brightness, or total solar
irradiance.

About Taurus XL

Orbital developed the ground-launched four-stage Taurus XL vehicle to
provide a reliable and cost-effective means of launching satellites
weighing up to approximately 3,000 pounds into low-Earth orbit. Taurus XL
incorporates advanced structural and avionics technology proven on the
company’s Pegasus® rocket and other operational launch systems.  It is also
designed for easy transportability and austere site operations, offering
customers rapid-response launches from a wide range of locations around the
globe.

The Glory mission will be the ninth flight of the Taurus rocket, with six
of the previous eight missions having been fully successful.  It also marks
the Taurus XL’s “return to flight” following a launch failure in 2009
during which the fairing encasing the satellite failed to properly separate
from the rocket, preventing the satellite from achieving orbital velocity.
Orbital has identified and corrected the root cause of the fairing
separation problem and has since carried out three fully successful space
launch missions using the updated fairing separation system.

The Taurus XL launch system maintains its launch vehicle reliability
certification from NASA, enabling the space agency to launch satellites of
high value and importance aboard the system.  It joins Orbital’s Pegasus
rocket, as well as the Delta II and Atlas V rockets, as the only launchers
to have earned that distinction.

Jacques :-)

Offline TheFallen

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Re: Taurus XL, GLORY - February 23, 2011 - VAFB
« Reply #39 on: 01/11/2011 06:07 pm »
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/Glory/news/launch-site-arrival.html

In the link above, the caption under the photo below states that Glory arrived at Vandenberg AFB around 12:00 PM, Pacific Time.  It's only 11:05 AM here in SoCal (that...and NASA Tweeted about the spacecraft's arrival around 10:30 AM).

Just nitpicking :)

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