Expendable Launch Vehicle Status Report

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

Jan. 17, 2011

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

STATUS REPORT: ELV-011711

EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT

Spacecraft: Glory
Launch Vehicle: Taurus XL 3110
Launch Site:  Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Launch Date:  Feb. 23, 2011
Launch Time: 2:09:43 a.m. PST
Altitude/Inclination: 440 miles/98.2 degrees 

The Glory spacecraft arrived Jan. 11 at the Astrotech payload 
processing facility on north Vandenberg Air Force Base to begin 
processing and prelaunch checkout. On Jan. 12, the spacecraft was 
moved into the processing high bay, the shipping container was 
removed from around the spacecraft, and it was placed on a work 
stand. On Jan. 13, the protective covers were taken off the satellite 
so that testing could begin, and the solar arrays were also 
inspected. Limited Performance Tests to Glory are now under way. 

Also Jan. 13, the two Taurus XL fairing halves were moved to 
Astrotech. A successful test of the fairing separation system was 
conducted last week. 

The Taurus rocket is in Orbital Sciences Hangar 1555 on north 
Vandenberg where integration and testing of the vehicle's flight 
hardware components continue. Work is under way at the launch pad to 
prepare the elevated launch stand for the arrival and hoisting of 
Stage 0, currently scheduled for Monday.

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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