Mission: Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO)
Launch Pad: 17-B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Launch Vehicle: Boeing Delta II
Launch Date: July 22, 2006
Launch Times: 3:11 – 3:13 p.m. and 4:19 – 4:34 p.m. EDT
Technicians are testing individual STEREO systems on both the “A” and “B” observatories (spacecraft). Solar arrays for both observatories are being cleaned, inspected and repaired prior to integration. Workers cleaned and black-light inspected observatory “A”. The Solar Energetic Particle (SEP) instrument suite and the Plasma Supra Thermal Ion Composition (PLASTIC) instrument were reintegrated with the observatories. Technicians also performed functional tests on both instruments. Both high gain antennas have been integrated to the spacecraft and are under test. Upcoming work planned for both observatories includes solar array installation, g-negated deployments and comprehensive performance testing.
Today, workers begin the build-up of the Delta II rocket at Pad 17-B, beginning with the first stage. Pad workers will begin to erect the nine solid rocket boosters on June 5 with a scheduled completion date of June 9. The second stage is scheduled to be hoisted into position and mated to the first stage on June 20. The crew will raise the 10-foot fairing into the pad clean room on June 21.
STEREO will build a three-dimensional, global picture of the sun and study the star’s influence on Earth. For more information, visit:
For previous status reports, visit:
https://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/status/2006
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Katherine Trinidad
Headquarters, Washington
(202) 358-3749
George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
(321) 867-2468