The packing and loading
crew in front of the SORCE shipment. Front row, left to right:
Truck Drivers, Jack “Wizard” Boyd and Myron “Andy”
Anderson, Zach Castleman, Phil Schipani, Dennis Baker, Sherry
McGlochlin, Back row, left to right: James Burgess, Mike Anfinson,
Corky Philyaw, Heather Reed-Withnell, and the Lift Operator,
Jeff Ingream.
Kennedy
Space Center Activity –
The truck carrying SORCE arrived at Kennedy Space Center (KSC)
on Saturday, October 26. The truck was directed into the payload
processing facility and the SORCE post-ship checkout process
commenced. The spacecraft was unloaded and secured first, followed
by the support equipment. As the support equipment was setup
and checked out, the spacecraft was lifted onto its test cradle,
moved into the clean tent, unbagged, and thoroughly inspected.
After a functional checkout, limited performance tests (LPTs)
and analysis were then run, along with dry runs of the flight
readiness test (FRT).
When the launch date was moved into January, the spacecraft
was bagged, the purge line set to provide a clean positive pressure
environment for the spacecraft, and the clean room door was
closed and locked. In early December when
the new launch date is within sight, the doors will be opened
and the testing will continue, with additional dry-run flight
readiness testing, inspections, and meetings to review the system
integrations, upcoming mates, and data handling.
The SORCE shipment
and chase vehicle arrive at KSC, 10/26/02.
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Tentative
Dates for Upcoming Events:
- 12/17/02
Pegasus Ferry to KSC
- 1/5/03
Spacecraft/Pegasus Mate
- 1/15/03
Fairing Installation
- 1/20/03
Launch Rehearsal (KSC)
- 1/21/03
Flight Readiness Review (KSC)
- 1/24/03
Launch Readiness Reviews (GSFC/KSC)
- 1/25/03
SORCE Launch (KSC)
The L1011 aircraft with the Pegasus attached
will arrive at KSC in mid December. The Pegasus will be removed
from the aircraft and transported via a large trailer to the High
Bay integration area, where testing will begin. In early January
the SORCE spacecraft will be bolted to the Pegasus launch vehicle
and more testing will occur.
Then next milestone event is when the fairing
is installed, covering the payload. This is scheduled to begin
on January 15. It will be the last opportunity to see or handle
SORCE. For the launch, the Pegasus will be transported by trailer
back out to the hot pad, and the L1011 will be lowered onto the
Pegasus and secured.
LASP
Activity –
Even though the launch has been delayed, the SORCE activity level
at LASP is running high in every area.
The Mission
Readiness Review took place on November 6 at Goddard Space Flight
Center. This critical review covered the status of all SORCE activities
related to the launch, from the Mission Operations Center’s
ability to operate the spacecraft and instruments to science data
collection and processing. The review went very well regarding
the SORCE instruments and spacecraft.
There has
been a series of Kennedy Space Center training sessions conducted
for anyone from LASP who might be going to KSC. The training examines
the KSC layout, integration and processing facilities, and standard
safety procedures. As expected, the launching business truly has
countless hazards.
A representative
from NASA recently visited LASP to conduct media training for
those people anticipating being in the spotlight near launch time.
It was a combination of how to get the science message out effectively
and charm school. All participants had an opportunity to role
play and see themselves on video. You can
check out the new exciting SORCE web page at – http://lasp.colorado.edu/sorce.
It has a whole new colorful look and much more information. It
is easy to maneuver, and meets the needs of the solar expert,
non-technical person, and public educators teaching at many |
