NASA - Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope updates

#20 by Jim on 26 Mar, 2008 12:18
First stage stacking is happening now
http://countdown.ksc.nasa.gov/elv/
#21 by jacqmans on 29 Mar, 2008 08:57
STATUS REPORT: ELV-032808

EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT

Mission: GLAST (Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope)
Location: Astrotech payload processing facility
Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7920-H
Launch Pad: 17-B
Launch Date: May 16, 2008
Launch Window: 11:45 a.m. - 1:40 p.m. EDT

The spacecraft comprehensive performance tests continue. Next week,
the illumination test of the twin solar arrays is scheduled to occur
on Wednesday, and they will then be stowed for flight on Thursday.
Each array generates 750 watts of power for a total of 1,500 watts,
the GLAST spacecraft's maximum power requirement.

At Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, due to high wind,
hoisting the Delta II first stage into the launcher was postponed
from Monday until Wednesday, March 26. Work to attach the nine
strap-on solid rocket boosters in sets of three is under way and will
continue until the middle of next week. Stacking of the second stage
is currently planned for April 5.
#22 by JWag on 30 Mar, 2008 16:04
The Kennedy Media Gallery has a GLAST category, with lots of nifty stacking images.
#23 by jacqmans on 01 Apr, 2008 18:35
MEDIA ADVISORY: M08-073

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA ACCREDITATION REQUIRED EARLY FOR GLAST LAUNCH

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The launch of NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area
Space Telescope, or GLAST, is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. EDT on May 16
from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.

To meet Air Force requirements, international media must submit
accreditation requests for the GLAST launch before April 14.
Reporters may apply for GLAST accreditation online at:

https://media.ksc.nasa.gov

Reporters who are U.S. citizens living within the United States may
apply online for accreditation through May 12.

A GLAST prelaunch news conference will be held at 1 p.m. on May 14 at
the NASA's Kennedy Space Center News Center. Press badges will be
available beginning at 8 a.m. on May 14 and may be picked up at the
Pass and Identification Building located on State Road 405 east of
U.S. Highway 1, south of Titusville. GLAST mission press badges also
will be valid for the launch on May 16.

For more information about the GLAST mission, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/glast
#24 by jacqmans on 04 Apr, 2008 19:29
STATUS REPORT: ELV-040408

EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT

Mission: GLAST (Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope)
Location: Astrotech payload processing facility
Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7920-H
Launch Pad: 17-B
Launch Date: May 16, 2008
Launch Window: 11:45 a.m. - 1:40 p.m. EDT

The GLAST spacecraft's solar array illumination test is occurring
today. This weekend, the work to install the Ku-band communications
transmitter will begin. A functional test will follow on Tuesday.
Closeouts of the spacecraft's thermal blankets also will begin next
week. Installation of the Ku-band communications antenna is planned
for mid-April.

At Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, work to attach the
nine strap-on solid rocket boosters to the Delta II first stage was
completed this week. Stacking of the second stage atop the first
stage is planned for Saturday.
#25 by TJL on 05 Apr, 2008 21:38
Will this be the last Delta II Heavy launch by NASA?
Thank you.
#26 by Jim on 05 Apr, 2008 22:02
don't know for sure
#27 by scubadown on 09 Apr, 2008 12:33
GLAST second stage erection anomaly. Has anyone heard about this? MIB is being set up?
#28 by Analyst on 09 Apr, 2008 16:32
What do *you* know? The fact?

Analyst
#29 by Delta Manager on 09 Apr, 2008 21:53
We're not aware of anything to be cocerned about at this time.
#30 by Antares on 10 Apr, 2008 05:18
The joys of the NE-All email list. Suddenly former PH guys think they have knowledge and start dropping the dime on ELV. Careful, STS boys. Atlas and Delta data is proprietary.
#31 by Analyst on 10 Apr, 2008 06:23
Quote
Antares - 10/4/2008 7:18 AM

The joys of the NE-All email list. Suddenly former PH guys think they have knowledge and start dropping the dime on ELV. Careful, STS boys. Atlas and Delta data is proprietary.

Acronym alert: NE-All?, PH? Context with STS, Atlas?

Analyst
#32 by Antares on 10 Apr, 2008 17:42
NE = KSC engineering directorate mail code.
PH = KSC Shuttle (now "Launch Vehicle") processing directorate mail code.
#33 by DaveS on 11 Apr, 2008 22:38
Mission: GLAST (Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope)
Location: Astrotech payload processing facility
Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7920-H
Launch Pad: 17-B
Launch Date: May 16, 2008
Launch Window: 11:45 a.m. - 1:40 p.m. EDT

At Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the Delta II first stage and nine solid rocket boosters have been erected. During preparations to hoist the second stage atop the first stage, an incident occurred which caused an adapter beam associated with the lifting operation to fracture. As a result, the stacking operation was immediately stopped. A team has been appointed to investigate the incident. Once the team has concluded its investigation and is able to determine there was no damage to the second stage, a new date for stacking will be set, possibly as early as next week.

Meanwhile, at the Astrotech payload processing facility, the GLAST spacecraft's solar array illumination test has been completed. The Ku-band communications transmitter was installed as scheduled. Closeouts of the spacecraft thermal blankets are under way. The Ku-band communications antenna will be installed early next week. At this time, preparations continue for delivery of GLAST to the launch pad on May 2.
#34 by rdale on 12 Apr, 2008 01:17
Quote
pad rat - 9/4/2008 4:54 PM

Quote
scubadown - 9/4/2008 8:33 AM GLAST second stage erection anomaly. Has anyone heard about this? MIB is being set up?
A mishap has not been declared.

What's the vocabulary on "mishap" vs "incident" or whatever was that actually declared?
#35 by Antares on 14 Apr, 2008 05:17
Quote
rdale - 11/4/2008 8:17 PM
Quote
pad rat - 9/4/2008 4:54 PM
Quote
scubadown - 9/4/2008 8:33 AM GLAST second stage erection anomaly. Has anyone heard about this? MIB is being set up?
A mishap has not been declared.
What's the vocabulary on "mishap" vs "incident" or whatever was that actually declared?
Good place to start
http://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov/displayDir.cfm?Internal_ID=N_PR_8621_001B_&page_name=Chapter1
#36 by marsavian on 15 Apr, 2008 17:39
Delta II Rocket Coming Together for NASA's GLAST Satellite Launch

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/GLAST/news/delta_rocket.html
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/status/2008/
#37 by edkyle99 on 15 Apr, 2008 18:31
Here's what it takes to connect a solid rocket motor to a Delta II first stage. Workers with torque wrenches, in harness, squeezed into small spaces..

http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/detail.cfm?mediaid=35614

- Ed Kyle
#38 by Analyst on 18 Apr, 2008 06:56
According to spaceflightnow, the launch has been delayed, no new date is given. Any reason why? Launch vehicle, payload?

Analyst
#39 by PA space fan on 18 Apr, 2008 19:14
Second-stage stacking problem, according to SpaceflightNow.