January 7, 2003

Activities on the SORCE project have picked up since the holiday break. The current launch date for the SORCE spacecraft from KSC/CCAFS (Kennedy Space Center/Cape Canaveral Air Force Station) is still holding at January 25th. On Friday, January 3rd, a test of the electrically integrated launch vehicle and spacecraft (Flt Sim 3) was successfully performed. This was the final hurdle to the actual physical marriage of the spacecraft and launch vehicle that was subsequently completed on Sunday, January 5th (see pictures). The completion of this activity was actually a “first” for the KSC Launch Support Team, as they typically do this type of integration with the launch vehicle sitting in a vertical position in a launch tower out at a launch pad. Because SORCE is an airplane drop type launch (PEGASUS), mounting of a payload to a horizontally oriented launch vehicle, in facilities normally only used for preparing payloads (spacecraft) for subsequent transport to a launch pad, was a new experience for some (this has been done repeatedly at other launch sites by the launch vehicle crew, so this was only “new” for the KSC folks). The launch vehicle and spacecraft teams are currently in the process of preparing for a post-integration electrical test (Flt Sim 4). This test is scheduled for Wednesday, January 8th, and will be the final test performed prior to installation of the fairing (nose cone) and subsequent transport of the integrated launch vehicle to the Hot Pad (three days prior to launch). Upon arriving at the Hot Pad, it’s a half-day operation to mount the launch vehicle to the OCA (Orbital Carrier Aircraft-L1011). Final pre-launch activities at the Hot Pad include a combined system test (CST) that verifies connectivity between the OCA and the LSST (Launch Site Support Trailer). On launch day, pre-launch activities begin at Launch minus 8 hours and include a final checkout of spacecraft and launch vehicle functionality. These final functional test operations will be conducted from the LSST. Other recent background activities have included test link verification operations between the spacecraft and Mission Operations at LASP via supporting ground stations and the on orbit satellite system (TDRSS) that will be providing communication links to the spacecraft post-launch. A final dress rehearsal of pre- and post-launch support activities is currently being conducted from the LASP Mission Operations and Control Center (MOCC) and will conclude Thursday, January 9th. These activities involve all the folks that will be part of the team involved in early post-launch operations of the satellite.