David Steitz
Headquarters, Washington
(Phone: 202/385-1730)

George H. Diller
NASA Vandenberg Resident Office           Dec. 17, 2002
(Phone: 805/605-3051)

Robert Villanueva
Boeing Expendable Launch Systems
(Phone: 714/372-2089)

RELEASE: 02-253

ICESat/CHIPSat LAUNCH RESCHEDULED

     The launch of NASA's ICESat and CHIPSat spacecraft, 
aboard a Boeing Delta II expendable launch vehicle, has been 
postponed.  

During a review of test data, a problem within an ordnance 
box was found.  The difficulty is associated with the signal 
the unit provides for launch vehicle devices to unlatch and 
separate the payload fairing. The removal and replacement of 
this unit, and the associated retest, will take 
approximately two weeks.

The launch is targeted to occur no earlier than January 8, 
2003, if the work can be successfully completed, as planned.

-end-