Mission: IBEX (Interstellar Boundary Explorer)
Launch Vehicle: Pegasus XL (Orbital Sciences)
Launch Facility: Reagan Test Site, Kwajalein Pacific Atoll
Launch Date: Oct. 19, 2008
Launch Time: 3:02 p.m. – 3:05 p.m. EDT
(07:02 a.m. – 07:05 a.m. local Kwajalein time on Oct. 20)
The IBEX spacecraft, its associated upper stage booster and the Pegasus XL rocket are in the Orbital Sciences Corporation launch vehicle hangar at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. IBEX has been mated to Pegasus, installation of the fairing around the spacecraft was completed on Oct. 1, and the Pegasus has been installed on its transporter.
Orbital Sciences’ L-1011 carrier aircraft arrived at Vandenberg on Oct. 2. The Pegasus will be mated to the aircraft on Oct. 6.
Departure of the L-1011 from Vandenberg, carrying the Pegasus XL rocket with IBEX, is currently planned for Oct. 10. After a stop in Hawaii, the flight will continue and arrive at the Reagan Test Site at Kwajalein Atoll in the South Pacific on Oct. 11.
Previous status reports are available at:
https://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/status/2008
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George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
george.h.diller@nasa.gov