Expendable Launch Vehicle Status Report

[KSC News Center <ksc@mediaservices.nasa.gov>]

April 10, 2009

George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
george.h.diller@nasa.gov

STATUS REPORT: ELV-041009

EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT

Mission: Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES-O) 
Launch Vehicle: Delta IV 
Launch Pad: Launch Complex 37, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. 
Launch Date: No earlier than May 12, 2009 
Launch Window: TBD 

At Launch Complex 37, the Delta IV "wet dress rehearsal," a countdown 
dress rehearsal with the rocket fully fueled, was conducted on April 
8. While the test completed the majority of its objectives 
successfully, a liquid oxygen leak was detected in the first stage, 
possibly in the fill and drain valve. The testing of the second stage 
was completed without issues. The hydrogen portion of the first stage 
testing was also completed successfully. The United Launch Alliance 
team has begun the process to isolate and repair the first stage 
liquid oxygen leak. Another tanking test will be performed before the 
GOES-O spacecraft is transported to the launch pad.

At the Astrotech Space Operations Facility, the GOES-O spacecraft was 
encapsulated into the Delta IV payload fairing on April 7. Fairing 
closeouts are under way. The spacecraft is now planned to be 
transported from Astrotech to Launch Complex 37 for mating to the 
Delta IV no earlier than April 24.

Launch is targeted to occur no earlier than May 12. The date will be 
adjusted accordingly based on the outcome of troubleshooting and 
readiness of the Delta IV, the status of space shuttle Atlantis on 
STS-125, and the availability of the Eastern Range.

Boeing Satellite Systems built the GOES-O spacecraft with the 
commercial launch service being provided to Boeing by United Launch 
Alliance. The NASA Launch Services Program at Kennedy is supporting 
the launch in an advisory role. NASA spacecraft project management 
for GOES-O is the responsibility of NASAss Goddard Space Flight 
Center. After launch, once Boeing and NASA have completed on-orbit 
checkout and the spacecraft is operational, it will be turned over to 
NOAA. 



Mission: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter/Lunar Crater Observation and 
Sensing Satellite (LRO/LCROSS) 
Launch Vehicle: Atlas V 
Launch Pad: Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. 
Launch Date: No earlier than June 2, 2009 
Launch Window: TBD 

LRO spacecraft testing continues. The solar arrays are planned for 
installation on April 20. The LCROSS spacecraft will begin 
preparations for fueling on April 24 for fuel loading on May 5. 

The Atlas V is scheduled to be moved from the hangar at the Atlas 
Space Operations Facility to the Vertical Integration Facility near 
the launch pad on April 23 for Atlas-Centaur integration. 



Previous status reports are available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/status/index.html 
 

	
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