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Aura
Processing Activities
Current
The Aura spacecraft, the latest in the Earth Observing System (EOS) series,
arrived at Space Launch Complex 2 located on North Vandenberg Air Force Base
before dawn on Tuesday, June 22. It was transported from the Astrotech
payload processing facility located a few miles south of the pad. Aura
was then hoisted atop the Boeing Delta II launch vehicle. The mechanical
and electrical connections are complete and an Aura stand-alone, state-of-health
check has been performed.
21 June 2004
The launch of NASA's Aura spacecraft has been rescheduled
to no earlier than July 10 due to two issues. Additional
time was needed to assure that suspect computer chips causing
difficulty on a different satellite were not of the same lot
as those aboard the Aura spacecraft. Also, the engineering
review board needed additional time to clear the concern over
the second stage fuel tank shutoff valve failure. It
was resolved satisfactorily June 18. NASA is awaiting
word from the Western Range that the request for a launch date
of July 10 has been confirmed.
The spacecraft is at the Astrotech payload processing facility
located on North Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Although
planned to be moved to Space Launch Complex 2 today, the
wind is too high for hoisting atop the Delta II rocket. It
remains on the transporter in the spacecraft hangar ready
for rollout. What effect this may have on the launch
date, if any, will be evaluated when the spacecraft arrives
at the pad. 17 June 2004
During testing of the Delta II launch vehicle on the
pad at Space Launch Complex 2, a helium leak was observed in
the second stage fuel tank shutoff valve. It was removed and
replaced on June 11. The retesting was successfully completed
Tuesday. An engineering review board must complete failure
analysis of the valve that was removed.
The spacecraft is at the Astrotech payload processing facility
located on North Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., and the
spacecraft’s batteries are currently being charged.
It is ready to be moved to Space Launch Complex 2 on Friday
pending closure of open items which are under review. There
will be an Aura state-of-health check on Monday, June 21,
with the spacecraft atop the Delta II.
10 June 2004
The spacecraft is at the Astrotech payload processing facility located on North
Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., and is ready to go to the launch pad, now
rescheduled to occur on June 18. The spacecraft’s batteries are being
charged during the interim.
03 June 2004
A launch site readiness review was conducted on June 1. A subsequent decision
was made to delay transportation and mate of the spacecraft to the Delta II
launch vehicle until an issue with the Delta II second stage helium pressurization
system is assessed by the launch team.
26 May 2004
The next major activity is the mating to the payload attach fitting, the interface
with the Delta II, which was scheduled to occur on May 24. This was delayed
until today for resolution of a configuration problem with the secondary latch
system that secures the spacecraft to the payload attach fitting. Transportation
of the spacecraft to Space Launch Complex 2 for mating to the second stage
of the Delta II is scheduled for June 2.
20 May 2004
Fueling of the spacecraft was completed May 14. The next major activity
is the mating to the payload attach fitting, the interface with the Delta II,
scheduled to occur on May 24. Transportation of the spacecraft to Space
Launch Complex 2 for mating to the second stage of the Delta II is scheduled
for June 2.
13 May 2004
Fueling of the spacecraft is happening today. Spacecraft
mate to the payload attach fitting (PAF) is scheduled to
occur on May 24.
07 May 2004
The spacecraft propulsion system testing was completed. Final preparation for
fueling is scheduled to be completed on May 12. The spacecraft will be fueled
on May 13, followed by preparation for spacecraft mate to payload attached
fitting currently scheduled for May 24.
29 April 2004
NASA's Aura spacecraft, the latest in the Earth Observing System (EOS) series,
is at the Astrotech payload processing facility located on North Vandenberg
Air Force Base. The Spacecraft Comprehensive Performance Test was successfully
completed last week. This was a test of Aura's instruments and onboard systems.
This week, spacecraft propulsion system testing and preparations for fueling
are underway.
15 April 2004
The Spacecraft Aliveness Test was successfully completed on April 12. This test
verifies the spacecraft's state of health after its trip from Redondo Beach.
This week, the Spacecraft Comprehensive Performance Test is underway. This
is a test of Aura's instruments and onboard systems.
07 April 2004
NASA's Aura spacecraft, the
latest in the Earth Observing System
(EOS) series, arrived at Vandenberg
Air Force Base, Calif., on April
1 to begin launch preparations.
Packed in a special shipping container,
Aura was transported from Northrop
Grumman Space Technology (NGST)
in Redondo Beach, Calif.
This week
the Spacecraft Aliveness Test is under way. This test verifies
the spacecraft's state of health after its trip from Redondo
Beach. Next week the Spacecraft Comprehensive Performance
Test will begin. This is a test of Aura's instruments and
onboard systems.
What processing procedures do most spacecraft go through?
Find out in Spacecraft
Processing 101.
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