Expendable Launch Vehicle Status Report

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

Jan. 21, 2011

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

STATUS REPORT: ELV-012111

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 

At the Astrotech payload processing facility on north Vandenberg Air 
Force Base, pre-launch testing of Glory continues. The "limited 
performance tests" and a solar array illumination test have been 
completed. Fueling of the spacecraft with its attitude control 
propellant is planned for early next week.

At the launch pad, Stage 0 of the Taurus XL rocket was hoisted atop 
the elevated launch stand on Jan. 17. Stages 1, 2 and 3 are in 
Orbital Sciences Hangar 1555 on north Vandenberg and are scheduled to 
be moved to the launch pad next week on Jan. 25.

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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