09.01.06 George H. Diller Kennedy Space Center, Fla. 321-867-2468 STATUS REPORT: ELV-090106 EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT Mission: STEREO (Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory) Launch Pad: 17-B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Vehicle: Boeing Delta II Launch Date: No earlier than Oct. 18, 2006 Launch Time: TBD A decision was made to remove the STEREO second stage from the launch vehicle and perform inspection from inside the propellant tank to verify it is structurally sound for flight. The launch of STEREO is now targeted for no earlier than Oct. 18. An electrical checkout of the vehicle is under way due to lightning strikes within a one-third mile radius of Complex 17 during the passing of Tropical Storm Ernesto. The STEREO observatories remain at the Astrotech Space Operations Facility. Today technicians removed the transportation canister from around the payload to begin the process of reconditioning the batteries and preparing for the storage period (currently about 30 days). The twin spacecraft will remain in storage until the necessary course of action for the Delta II can be more clearly defined. There was no effect on the STEREO spacecraft from Tropical Storm Ernesto. For previous expendable launch vehicle processing status reports, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/status/2006 -end- To subscribe to the list, send a message to: ksc-subscribe@newsletters.nasa.gov To remove your address from the list, send a message to: ksc-unsubscribe@newsletters.nasa.gov
