|
The mated Pegasus and spacecraft will be transported
by trailer back out to the hot pad, located next to the runway,
just days before the launch. Final launch preparations and testing
will be performed at the hot pad from a van parked next to the
area. To reunite the L-1011 and the Pegasus, the entire L-1011
aircraft is lifted by hydraulic jacks and then gently lowered
onto the Pegasus and secured.
The Pegasus was transported by trailer into the High Bay area
in the Multi-Payload Processing Facility (MPPF) for integration
after arriving at KSC.
Tentative Dates for Upcoming
Events:
1/5/03 Spacecraft/Pegasus
Mate
1/15/03 Fairing Installation
1/20/03 Launch Rehearsal (KSC)
1/21/03 Flight Readiness Review (KSC)
1/22/03 Spacecraft/Pegasus Transported to Hot Pad
1/24/03 Launch Readiness Reviews (GSFC/KSC)
1/25/03 SORCE Launch (KSC) LASP Activity –
December has been an intense month at LASP for the Mission Operations
team as they fine-tune the activity plans for launch and the first
30 days following launch. After initial spacecraft checkout and
verification, the instruments will be activated one at a time.
The sequence considerations include general contamination, solar
exposure, and the SOLSTICE high voltage usage and stellar calibration
needs. The goal is to make the activation process as efficient
as possible, with instrument safety a priority. A 2-day dry run
test for instrument commissioning is scheduled for early January.
The plan allows the instruments to begin collecting test data
immediately after they are activated through windows in the instrument
doors. After a brief out-gassing period to reduce self-contamination,
the doors will be opened and true data will be collected for the
next 5 years. |
In mid January the Orbital personnel who have
worked on the SORCE software, hardware, and mission development
will visit Boulder for a final Mission Operations rehearsal. This
rehearsal will focus on the first 36 hours of spacecraft operations
after launch. Orbital personnel will participate in SORCE Mission
Operation activities until after the launch when the spacecraft
is stable, and when the instruments and the spacecraft are performing
as expected.
The SORCE web page – http://lasp.colorado.edu/sorce
– is changing weekly. The latest launch information is updated
on-line. New items are being added including animations, photos,
interviews, and interactive activities. After launch, the data
collection and science will be prominent features of the site.
If you have any comments or suggestions, please contact the SORCE
web developer, Ann Windnagel (sorceweb@lasp.colorado.edu).
For those who do not have access to the web for
the latest launch information, a special SORCE phone line has
been activated. By calling (303) 735-3132 you can hear a recorded
message regarding the status of the SORCE launch and any breaking
news.
In preparation for launch, several SORCE public
relations pieces are completed. The SORCE brochure is available
by e-mailing vanessa.george@lasp.colorado.edu
with your mailing address. LASP is preparing for the launch with
new instrument photos for the lobby, and a large 10’ wide
by 7.5’ tall SORCE display for outside the Mission Operations
Center. The moveable display will feature the spacecraft, instruments,
and a science overview of the SORCE mission and goals.
Greg Kopp, TIM instrument scientist.
Greg Kopp, TIM instrument scientist, participated
in the Colorado Science Convention in Denver in late November.
In cooperation with the CU Science Discovery program, Greg presented
a talk on the SORCE mission to K-12 science educators from Colorado
and surrounding states. The goal was to educate teachers on the
SORCE mission and |
