Sun, Feb 27, 2011
Problem Seems To Be Coming From The Vehicle Interface Control
Console
Preparations for the launch of NASA's Glory mission from
Vandenberg Air Force Base in California have been suspended
temporarily. Engineers continue to troubleshoot a malfunction in
ground support equipment associated with the Taurus XL rocket.
On Feb. 23, a false indication was received about the rocket's
status after commands were sent approximately 15 minutes before
launch to activate the Taurus. "We had an indication that a
'hold-fire' command was sent when indeed it had not," said Omar
Baez, NASA launch director.
The commands originated from the Vehicle Interface Control
Console in the mobile launch support van stationed a few miles from
the launch pad. The problem has not yet been isolated, and
troubleshooting continues. Managers are evaluating possible Glory
launch opportunities in early to mid-March.
"The Glory spacecraft is doing fine," reported Bryan Fafaul,
Glory project manager from NASA's Goddard Space Flight in
Greenbelt, MD. "We are continuing to slow charge the battery until
we have a new launch date."
The Glory satellite will be launched aboard a Taurus on a
mission to improve our understanding of how the sun and tiny
atmospheric particles called aerosols affect Earth's climate. Glory
launch management is provided by NASA's Launch Service Program at
the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Orbital Sciences
Corp. is providing the Taurus XL launch vehicle and is responsible
for spacecraft operations.
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