Expendable Launch Vehicle Status Report

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

July 23, 2010

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

STATUS REPORT: ELV-072310

EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT

Spacecraft: Glory
Launch Vehicle: Taurus XL 3110
Launch Site:  Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Date:  Nov. 22, 2010
Launch Time: 2:09 a.m. PST
Altitude/Inclination: 440 miles/98.2 degrees 

The Taurus rocket is in Orbital Sciences Hangar 1555 located on north 
Vandenberg Air Force Base where integration of the vehicle's flight 
hardware components continues.

The launch vehicle was powered on for the first time July 20 to begin 
electrical tests. Initial testing of the guidance system and 
calibration of the vehicle's power bus telemetry system are planned.

The Range Safety C-band transponder installation was completed this 
week, and vehicle receiver testing with the Western Range is planned 
for next week.

On stage 1, thrust vector actuator installation continues. On stage 2, 
the next significant work will be installation of additional cable 
harnesses during the first week of August.

The Glory spacecraft currently is scheduled to arrive at Vandenberg on 
Oct. 12 to begin processing for launch.

Data from the Glory mission will allow scientists to better understand 
the Earth's energy budget. An accurate description of the Earth's 
energy budget is important in order to anticipate future changes to 
our climate. Shifts in the global climate and the associated weather 
patterns impact human life by altering landscapes and changing the 
availability of natural resources.

The Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor instrument will measure aerosols 
(human-caused and naturally occurring) to determine their relative 
influence on the global climate.

The Total Irradiance Monitor instrument will monitor the Sun to 
understand short-term solar mechanisms causing energy budget changes 
and will contribute to the vital long-term solar record.

Previous status reports are available at:

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

	
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