NASA - Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope updates

• #40 by DaveS on 18 Apr, 2008 19:17
• Quote

  PA space fan - 18/4/2008  9:14 PM
  
  Second-stage stacking problem, according to SpaceflightNow.
  

  Probably related to this:
  
  "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."
  
  That was from last week's ELV status report.
• #41 by jacqmans on 18 Apr, 2008 21:02
• STATUS REPORT: ELV-041808
  
  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: TBD (under assessment)  
  
  At Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the Delta II second
  stage is planned to be hoisted atop the first stage on Monday. This
  week, work to complete the manufacturing, testing and evaluation of
  the new H-beam associated with the lifting of the second stage was
  completed.
  
  Meanwhile, at the Astrotech payload processing facility, the GLAST
  Ku-band communications antenna was installed on Tuesday. Testing will
  begin on Sunday. End-to-end communications system testing is also
  scheduled for this weekend. Closeouts of the spacecraft thermal
  blankets continue. The star tracker sun shade installation is
  currently planned for next Wednesday.
  
• #42 by kaa on 19 Apr, 2008 02:52
• The GLAST science team have been told that a crane impacted the rocket. There is no visible damage. The initial projection was a 3-day delay in the launch however that has not been confirmed yet. GLAST itself has no launch constraints but there are a lot of other launches behind it in the queue.
  
• #43 by edkyle99 on 23 Apr, 2008 16:17
• No word of a Stage 2 lift yet.  Did it happen on Monday as planned?
  
   - Ed Kyle
  
  
• #44 by ras391 on 23 Apr, 2008 16:42
• second stage was lifted on Tuesday.  NASA reports that launch date will not be set until next week.  Need to fit it between other launches on East and West Coast of US.
• #45 by jacqmans on 25 Apr, 2008 15:07
• STATUS REPORT: ELV-042508
  
  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: TBD (under assessment)
  Launch Window: 11:45 a.m. - 1:40 p.m. EDT
  
  At Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the Delta II second
  stage was hoisted into position on Tuesday. Upcoming milestones
  include a cryogenic test of the first stage using liquid oxygen,
  along with an associated countdown operation. A Simulated Flight Test
  follows that, encompassing the flight events that occur from liftoff
  through spacecraft separation to exercise the onboard vehicle systems
  of the Delta II. Both tests will occur approximately the second week
  of May.
  
  Meanwhile, at the Astrotech payload processing facility, end-to-end
  communications testing through the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite
  System has been completed. Three sunshades associated with the star
  tracker system were installed on Wednesday, and the sun trackers
  associated with the solar arrays were cleaned. The closeouts of the
  spacecraft thermal blankets continue. A final cleaning of the overall
  spacecraft and black light inspection are under way today, which are
  the last activities for spacecraft processing until the fueling of
  the spacecraft. Fueling will be scheduled once a launch date has been
  determined.
  
  Moblie Service Structure at Canaveral LC-40 is scheduled to be demolished
  between 09:00-11:00 EDT on 27 April.
• #46 by kaa on 27 Apr, 2008 02:15
• Launch is currently NET May 31.
  
• #47 by ChrisGebhardt on 27 Apr, 2008 05:31
• Quote

  kaa - 26/4/2008  10:15 PM
  
  Launch is currently NET May 31.
  

  
  Hmm... what are the chances of the vehicle and payload being ready on that date. I can think of one MAJOR range confliction there.  
• #48 by rdale on 27 Apr, 2008 12:26
• NET = "No Earlier Than" a specific date, is does not mean launch is planned for that date.
• #49 by ChrisGebhardt on 28 Apr, 2008 04:47
• Quote

  rdale - 27/4/2008  8:26 AM
  
  NET = "No Earlier Than" a specific date, is does not mean launch is planned for that date.

  
  Yeah... I know. I was just asking if anyone on here knew the viability of that date... as in "might be possible to make," or "not really, but a good 'work-to' date." I was just trying to get a sense of what the Eastern Range might look like around May 31.  
• #50 by jacqmans on 02 May, 2008 20:59
• STATUS REPORT: ELV-050208
  
  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: TBD (under assessment)
  Launch Window: 11:45 a.m. - 1:40 p.m. EDT
  
  At Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, a cryogenic test of
  the Delta II first stage is scheduled for May 7. This test includes a
  countdown and the loading aboard of liquid oxygen as a leak check of
  the first stage. The following day a Simulated Flight Test will be
  performed exercising the onboard vehicle systems of the Delta II from
  liftoff through spacecraft separation. NASA managers are working to
  resolve an issue with flight ordnance that they consider could affect
  mission success.
  
  At Astrotech, a final cleaning of the GLAST spacecraft and the
  associated black light inspection have been completed. Preparations
  have begun to move the spacecraft to the hazardous processing
  facility on Sunday. Fueling operations are scheduled for next week.
  
• #51 by jacqmans on 09 May, 2008 16:48
• STATUS REPORT: ELV-050908
  
  EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT
  
  Mission: GLAST (Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope)
  Location: Astrotech payload processing facility
  Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7920-H (United Launch Alliance)
  Launch Pad: 17-B
  Launch Date: No Earlier Than June 3, 2008
  Launch Window: 11:45 a.m. - 1:40 p.m. EDT
  
  NASA management currently is targeting no earlier than June 3 for the
  liftoff of GLAST atop a Delta II rocket.
  
  At Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, a cryogenic test of
  the Delta II first stage was conducted May 7. This test included a
  countdown and the loading aboard of liquid oxygen as a leak check of
  the first stage. Yesterday a Simulated Flight Test was performed
  exercising the onboard vehicle systems of the Delta II from liftoff
  through spacecraft separation. At Astrotech, the spacecraft is in the
  hazardous processing facility and fueling is scheduled for this
  weekend.
  
• #52 by jacqmans on 12 May, 2008 21:04
• MEDIA ADVISORY: 08-08
  
  NASA'S GLAST MEDIA OPPORTUNITY SET FOR MAY 15
  
  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or
  GLAST, soon to be launched aboard a Delta II rocket, will be the
  focus of a media opportunity on Thursday, May 15. The event will be
  held at the Astrotech Space Operations facility in Titusville, Fla.,
  at 10 a.m. EDT.
  
  The event will include an opportunity to photograph GLAST and to
  interview project officials from NASA and General Dynamics, builder
  of the spacecraft. Media may proceed directly to Astrotech located in
  the Spaceport Florida Industrial Park, 1515 Chaffee Drive,
  Titusville. Access begins at 9:45 a.m. The event will last
  approximately two hours.
  
  Spokespeople available will be:
  - Albert Vernacchio, GLAST Deputy Project Manager
  Goddard Space Flight Center
  - Dr. Steven Ritz, GLAST Project Scientist/Astrophysicist
  Goddard Space Flight Center
  - Bruce Reid
  GLAST Kennedy Space Center Mission Manager
  - Robb Pinkerton, Technical Program Manager
  General Dynamics
  
  GLAST, NASA's new gamma-ray observatory, will open a wide window on
  the universe. Gamma rays are the highest-energy form of light, and
  the gamma-ray sky is spectacularly different from the one we perceive
  with our own eyes. With a huge leap in all key capabilities, GLAST
  data will enable scientists to answer persistent questions across a
  broad range of topics, including supermassive black-hole systems,
  pulsars, the origin of cosmic rays, and searches for signals of new
  physics.
  
  NASA's GLAST mission is an astrophysics and particle physics
  partnership, developed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of
  Energy, along with important contributions from academic institutions
  and partners in France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Sweden, and the U.S.
  
  For the media event, procedures for optically sensitive spacecraft
  must be followed by individuals entering the clean room where the
  spacecraft is being processed. Guidelines for controlled access to
  the clean room have been developed by quality control personnel and
  will be monitored prior to entering the facility. Full clean room
  attire (bunny suits) must be worn and will be furnished.
  Photographers may be requested to clean cameras or accessories using
  alcohol wipes which will be provided.
  
  Long pants, shirts with sleeves and closed-toe shoes must be worn --
  no shorts or skirts. Non-essential equipment, such as camera bags or
  other carrying cases, should be left outside the clean room. No
  pencils or felt-tipped pens can be permitted inside the clean room;
  only ball-point pens may be used. No food, tobacco, chewing gum,
  lighters, matches or pocketknives will be allowed. Please do not wear
  perfume, cologne or makeup.
  
  Wireless microphones cannot be used. Electronic flash photography also
  cannot be permitted in this facility. There is adequate metal halide
  lighting in the facility for photography (white with a slight green
  cast; suggested exposure for ISO-ASA 400 is 1/30 sec. at f/5.6).
  
  The Delta II rocket is being prepared for flight by United Launch
  Alliance at Space Launch Complex 17 on Cape Canaveral Air Force
  Station. The liftoff is currently planned for Tuesday, June 3 at the
  opening of a 115 minute window that extends from 11:45 a.m. - 1:40
  p.m.
  
  The NASA Goddard Space Flight Center is responsible for designing and
  developing the spacecraft and its instruments. General Dynamics built
  the spacecraft for Goddard. The NASA Launch Services Program at the
  Kennedy Space Center is responsible for the countdown and launch
  management of the Delta II.
  
  For more information about GLAST, visit:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/glast  
  
• #53 by jacqmans on 16 May, 2008 21:21
• STATUS REPORT: ELV-051608
  
  EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT
  
  Mission: GLAST (Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope)
  Location: Astrotech payload processing facility
  Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7920-H (United Launch Alliance)
  Launch Pad: 17-B
  Launch Date: No Earlier Than June 3, 2008
  Launch Window: 11:45 a.m. - 1:40 p.m. EDT
  
  At Astrotech this week, the GLAST spacecraft underwent final closeouts
  in preparation for being transported to the launch pad. It was mated
  to the launch vehicle's payload attach fitting on Wednesday. GLAST is
  being installed Friday into the payload transportation canister in
  preparation for transfer to the launch pad. The rollout from
  Astrotech to Pad 17-B will be done during the overnight hours of
  Saturday morning, and mating of the spacecraft to the second stage of
  the Delta II is planned between 5 and 7 a.m. EDT.
  
• #54 by jacqmans on 19 May, 2008 18:56
• RELEASE:  08-44
  
   
  
  NASA to Hold GLAST Pre-launch News Briefing
  
   
  
  GREENBELT, Md. – NASA Goddard Space Flight Center will hold a teleconference at 1 p.m. EDT, Tuesday, May 27, for a science and mission status briefing on NASA’s upcoming Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST) mission. Reporters should contact Robert Naeye at Tel. 301-286-4453 by noon on May 27, for dial-in information.
  
   
  
  GLAST, NASA's new gamma-ray observatory, will open a wide new window on the universe. Gamma rays are the highest-energy form of light, and the gamma-ray sky is spectacularly different from what we perceive with our own eyes. With a huge leap in all key capabilities, GLAST data will enable scientists to answer persistent questions across a broad range of topics, including supermassive black hole systems, pulsars, the origin of cosmic rays, and searches for signatures of new physics.
  
   
  
  The briefing participants are:
  
  - Lynn Cominsky, GLAST Education and Public Outreach, Sonoma State University,
  
  Rohnert Park, Calif.
  - Steve Ritz, GLAST Project Scientist, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.  
  - David Thompson, GLAST Deputy Project Scientist, NASA Goddard
  
  - Peter Michelson, Large Area Telescope (LAT) Principal Investigator, Stanford University,
  
  Palo Alto, Calif.
  
  - Charles "Chip" Meegan, GLAST Burst Monitor (GBM) Principal Investigator, Marshall
  
  Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.
  
   
  
  NASA's GLAST mission is an astrophysics and particle physics partnership, developed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy, along with important contributions from academic institutions and partners in France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Sweden, and the U.S.
  
   
  
  For teleconference slides and biographies, please visit:
  
   
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/GLAST/news/L7_telecon_main.html
  
   
  
  For more information about the GLAST mission, please visit:
  
   
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/glast
  
  
• #55 by John44 on 22 May, 2008 19:19
• GLAST COMPLETES PRELAUNCH PROCESSING  
  http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3691&Itemid=2
  
  
• #56 by jacqmans on 23 May, 2008 03:10
• MEDIA ADVISORY: M08-106
  
  NASA'S GLAST SPACE TELESCOPE TO LAUNCH ABOARD DELTA II ON JUNE 3
  
  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Launch of NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space
  Telescope, or GLAST, is targeted for Tuesday, June 3, from Pad 17-B
  at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The launch window extends
  from 11:45 a.m. to 1:40 p.m. EDT and remains unchanged through Aug.
  7. The June 3 launch date is dependent on space shuttle Discovery's
  May 31 liftoff, and will move if the shuttle launch is delayed.
  
  NASA's new gamma-ray observatory will open a wide window on the
  universe through the study of Gamma rays, the highest-energy form of
  light. GLAST data will enable scientists to answer persistent
  questions across a broad range of topics, including supermassive
  black-hole systems, pulsars, the origin of cosmic rays, and searches
  for signals of new physics.
  
  NASA will hold a pre-launch news conference at NASA's Kennedy Space
  Center news center at 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 1. The briefing will be
  carried live on NASA Television.
  
  Participating in the briefing will be:
  - Dr. Jon Morse, director, Astrophysics Division, NASA Headquarters,
  Washington
  - Omar Baez, NASA launch director/launch manager, Kennedy Space Center
  - Kris Walsh, director of Delta NASA and Commercial Programs, United
  Launch Alliance, Cape Canaveral, Fla.
  - Albert Vernacchio, GLAST deputy project manager, NASA's Goddard
  Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
  - Dr. Steven Ritz, GLAST Project scientist/astrophysicist, Goddard
  Space Flight Center
  - Joel Tumbiolo, U.S. Air Force Delta II launch weather officer, 45th
  Weather Squadron, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
  
  A prelaunch webcast will take place on Monday, June 2 at noon on NASA
  Direct, Kennedy's Internet broadcasting network. GLAST's launch
  director will explain how the countdown will unfold on launch day,
  discuss how the spacecraft and Delta II launch vehicle were prepared
  for liftoff, and viewers will hear GLAST's project scientist explain
  the mission's goals. To view the webcast, and for more information
  about the GLAST mission, visit:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/glast
  
  NASA TELEVISION COVERAGE
  On Sunday, June 1, NASA TV coverage of the GLAST pre-launch news
  conference at Kennedy will begin at 1 p.m. Two-way question and
  answer capability will be available from participating NASA
  locations. On Tuesday, June 3, NASA TV coverage of the launch will
  begin at 9:30 a.m. and conclude after spacecraft separation from the
  Delta II rocket, which occurs 75 minutes after launch. Coverage will
  be carried on the NASA TV Media Channel (Channel 103). The broadcast
  network HDNet also will carry the launch in high-definition
  television format from 11:30 a.m. until noon. For complete NASA TV
  downlink information, schedules and links to streaming video, visit:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/ntv
  
  Audio of the pre-launch news conference will be carried on Kennedy's
  monitor-only phone lines and can be heard by dialing 321-867-1260 or
  321-867-7135. On launch day, mission audio countdown activities
  without NASA launch commentary will be carried on 321-867-7135,
  beginning at 8:30 a.m. NASA launch commentary will begin at 9:30 a.m.
  and will be available at 321-867-1260. Launch commentary also will be
  available on amateur radio frequency 146.940 Mhz (VHF), heard within
  Brevard County, Fla.
  
  ACCREDITATION AND MEDIA ACCESS BADGES FOR THE GLAST LAUNCH
  All reporters, including those who are permanently badged for Kennedy,
  must complete the accreditation process for the activities associated
  with the GLAST launch. The media accreditation process may be done
  via the Web by going to:
  
  https://media.ksc.nasa.gov
  
  Accreditation requests for the GLAST pre-launch, launch and
  post-launch activities at Kennedy and Cape Canaveral Air Force
  Station must be received by the close of business Tuesday, May 27. On
  Friday, May 30, media without permanent credentials may obtain NASA
  access badges at the Pass and Identification building between 6 a.m.
  and 4 p.m. The building is located on State Road 405 south of
  Titusville, east of U.S. 1 after passing the Astronaut Hall of Fame.
  Two forms of government-issued identification are required, including
  one with photo. To arrange for badging over the weekend, contact
  Laurel Lichtenberger in the news media accreditation office at
  321-867-4036.
  
  REMOTE CAMERA PLACEMENT AT COMPLEX 17
  On Monday, June 2, photographers who wish to set up remote cameras at
  the Delta launch complex will be escorted to Pad 17-B. Departure by
  vehicle convoy will be at 1 p.m. from the Space Florida parking lot
  located on Poseidon Avenue, adjacent to Gate 1 of Cape Canaveral Air
  Force Station.
  
  LAUNCH DAY PRESS SITE ACCESS AT CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION
  On Tuesday, June 3, sign-in of badged reporters will begin at 10:30
  a.m. at the Space Florida parking lot. Media will be required to show
  their permanent KSC credentials or temporary KSC machine badge before
  being allowed access to the media viewing site. Following the launch,
  media will be escorted via caravan back to Gate 1. Media requiring
  access to the Kennedy Press Site after launch must proceed through
  Gate 2 on State Road 3. Media requiring remote camera retrieval
  should remain at the viewing site until escorted to the launch pad.
  After camera retrieval, photographers will be escorted back to Gate
  1.
  
  Because this launch is a Delta II Heavy configuration with larger
  solid rocket boosters, the media viewing site will be atop the
  Trident Bluff on south Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. There is no
  infrastructure at this location, so news media should plan on being
  fully self-contained. A wireless Internet capability will be
  available.
  
  POST-LAUNCH ACTIVITIES
  No post-launch news conference is planned. A post-launch news release
  will be issued once first contact has been made with GLAST and the
  state of health of the spacecraft can be determined. This should
  occur within one hour after spacecraft separation from the Delta II.
  
  NEWS CENTER HOURS FOR LAUNCH
  Kennedy's News Center will be open for GLAST news operations beginning
  on Sunday, June 1, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., continuing through
  launch. Starting at that time, status reports on the launch of GLAST
  and any media updates will be recorded on the news center update line
  at 321-867-2525.
  
• #57 by jacqmans on 23 May, 2008 18:58
• STATUS REPORT: ELV-052308
  
  EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT
  
  Mission: GLAST (Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope)
  Location: Astrotech payload processing facility
  Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7920-H (United Launch Alliance)
  Launch Pad: 17-B
  Launch Date: No Earlier Than June 3, 2008
  Launch Window: 11:45 a.m. - 1:40 p.m. EDT
  
  The rollout of the GLAST spacecraft from Astrotech to Pad 17-B began
  shortly after midnight on May 17, arriving at Pad 17-B on Cape
  Canaveral Air Force Station at 5 a.m. The spacecraft was then hoisted
  atop the Delta II at 7:30 a.m. Spacecraft state of health checks are
  successfully complete.
  
  Thursday the Flight Program Verification was conducted. This is an
  electrical and mechanical test of the Delta II and GLAST working
  together as a single integrated system during countdown and launch
  milestones. Once this test is complete, spacecraft closeouts will
  begin. GLAST will be encapsulated into the Delta II fairing on May
  27.
  
• #58 by faustod on 30 May, 2008 11:23
• According to Spaceflight Now, the launch is now scheduled for June 5.
• #59 by jacqmans on 30 May, 2008 15:54
• MEDIA ADVISORY: M08-110
  
  NASA TARGETS GLAST LAUNCH FOR JUNE 5
  
  CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The launch of NASA's GLAST spacecraft aboard a
  United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket is scheduled for Thursday,
  June 5. The launch window extends from 11:45 a.m. to 1:40 p.m. EDT
  and remains unchanged through Aug. 7.
  
  The June 5 date already is reserved for the launch of GLAST on the
  Eastern Range. The date was chosen at the conclusion of Thursday's
  Flight Readiness Review to give the launch team sufficient time to
  make sure remaining open engineering issues are resolved.
  
  The GLAST prelaunch news conference is scheduled for 1 p.m. on
  Tuesday, June 3, at the news center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center,
  Fla. Question-and-answer capability will be available from
  participating NASA locations.
  
  The placement of remote cameras at Pad 17-B is scheduled for 1 p.m. on
  Wednesday, June 4. On launch day, news media should meet at 10:30
  a.m. at the Space Florida parking lot outside Gate 1 of Cape
  Canaveral Air Force Station.
  
  Launch commentary on NASA Television (media channel 103) will begin at
  9:45 a.m. For complete NASA TV downlink information, schedules and
  links to streaming video, visit:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/ntv
  
  For more information about the GLAST mission, visit:
  
  http://www.nasa.gov/glast