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MESSENGER Launch Pad Activities
28 July 2004
On Tuesday, July 27 at Pad 17-B, the two halves of
the Delta payload fairing were placed around the MESSENGER
spacecraft. The securing of the fairing is being completed
today. The Flight Readiness Review is scheduled for Thursday,
July 29.
On Friday, July 20, the loading of the second stage with
its complement of hypergolic propellants is scheduled. On
Saturday, July 31, Flight Slews which are checks of the launch
vehicle steering system, will be performed. The final Range
Safety beacon checks are also scheduled.
For launch, retraction of the mobile service tower that
is the gantry surrounding the Delta II is scheduled to begin
at approximately 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1. Loading aboard
the Delta first stage of RP-1, a highly refined kerosene
fuel is scheduled to begin at 11:36 p.m. The cryogenic liquid
oxygen will be loaded aboard the first stage approximately
one hour later.
21 July 2004
Stacking of the Boeing Delta II launch vehicle on Pad 17-B
began on June 30 with the hoisting of the first stage atop
the launcher. Attachment of the nine strap-on solid rocket
boosters in sets of three was completed July 6. The second
stage was hoisted into postioin atop the first stage on
July 8.
The first "power-on" testing was completed
on July 12. A vehicle control check was performed on July
14. This test procedure qualifies the first and second
stage steering systems.
A Simulated Flight (SimFlight)
or flight test of the launch vehicle electrical and mechanical
systems was completed on July 15. The first stage leak
check, or LOX leak check, occurred on July 16 with the
loading aboard of liquid oxygen. This test also exercises
the first stage propulsion team using a procedure similar
to that which will be during the countdown on launch
day.
On Monday, July 19, the first stage fuel system was
then qualified by loading RP-1, a highly refined kerosene
fuel.
There are no technical issues or concerns with MESSENGER
or the Boeing Delta II at this time. The
launch period extends through Aug. 14.
29 June 2004
The stacking of the Boeing Delta II launch vehicle on pad
17-B is planned to begin on Wednesday, June 30, with the
hoisting of the first stage atop the launcher. Attachment
of the nine strap-on solid rocket boosters in sets of three
will be performed July 1 - 6. The second stage is scheduled
to be hoisted into position atop the first stage on July
8.
There are no technical issues or concerns with MESSENGER
or its associated Delta II at this time.
17
June 2004
Stacking of the launch vehicle on the pad is now planned
to begin one week after the launch of the Delta II carrying
the Air Force Global Positioning Satellite occurs.
There are no technical issues or concerns with MESSENGER
or the Delta II at this time.
The launch period for MESSENGER extends through Aug. 13.
10 June 2004
The spacecraft will leave Astrotech for Cape Canaveral Air
Force Station on July 16 and be mated to the Delta II rocket.
Stacking of the launch vehicle on the pad is currently planned
to begin on June 23.
02 June 2004
The review to assess readiness to begin stacking the Boeing Delta II rocket on
Pad 17-B was successfully completed May 19. Vehicle stacking is currently scheduled
to begin on June 21, after the Global Positioning System (GPS) II-R 12 launch,
tentatively scheduled to launch on June 9.
26 May 2004
Vehicle stacking begins with the first stage June 18.
20 May 2004
The readiness review to begin stacking the Boeing Delta II rocket on Pad 17-B
was successfully completed Wednesday.
13 May 2004
The review to determine the readiness to begin stacking the launch vehicle is
scheduled to occur May 19.
15 April 2004
The erection of the Boeing Delta II launch vehicle on Pad 17-B is currently scheduled
to begin on June 18 with the erection of the first stage.
24 March 2004
The stacking of the Boeing Delta II launch vehicle at Pad 17-B is being rescheduled
for mid-June.
17 March 2004
Build-up of the Boeing Delta II launch vehicle at Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral
Air Force Station is scheduled to begin on March 31.
10 March 2004
At Space Launch Complex 17, the build-up and checkout of
the Boeing Delta II Heavy expendable launch vehicle will
be underway. The activity on Pad 17-B is currently scheduled
to begin on March 31 with the erection of the first stage.
The nine extra-large, strap-on solid boosters will follow,
erected in sets of three during the week of April 1-7.
Next, the second stage will be hoisted atop the first
stage on April 13.
After the Delta II is fully erected on the pad, vehicle electrical
checks will begin. A countdown test with the first stage loaded
with liquid oxygen will occur on April 21. A Simulated Flight
Test, a plus count, will occur the following day. This activates
the electrical and mechanical flight systems on the vehicle
as they will occur from liftoff through spacecraft separation.
Finally, on April 27, the MESSENGER spacecraft will arrive
at the pad and be lifted atop the Delta II. After a critical
integrated test, the Flight Program Verification on April
30, the fairing will be placed around the spacecraft on May
4.
Learn the history behind Launch
Complex 17!
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