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SPACECRAFT AND EXPENDABLE VEHICLES STATUS REPORT
May 14, 2003

George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center
321/867-2468
                                         

MISSION: Mars Exploration Rover (MER-A vehicle/MER-2 rover)

LAUNCH VEHICLES: Delta II
LAUNCH PADS: 17-A
LAUNCH DATES: June 5
LAUNCH TIMES: 2:16 p.m. / 2:55:29 p.m. EDT

Mating of the MER-2 entry vehicle to the cruise stage was completed
on May 7.  The spacecraft has completed its weight and center of
gravity determination and underwent its initial spin balance
testing.  On May 11 the spacecraft was fueled.  Tomorrow night, May
15, will be second spin test now that the spacecraft is fueled. 

During routine testing of the cruise stage and the MER-2 rover over
the weekend, an unexpected measurement in the rover's power system
was observed.  Troubleshooting is underway but it is not expected to
delay the schedule of planned pre-launch spacecraft preparations at
this time. 

The MER-A mission will have two launch opportunities each day during
the launch period, which is scheduled to close on June 19.  Arrival
at Mars is set for Jan 4, 2004, regardless of the launch date within
that period. 

On Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the MER-A vehicle solid rocket
booster erection begins today with the first three set of motors
being attached to the first stage, the second set of three will be
erected on Thursday, May 15, and the final set will be hoisted into
position on Friday, May 16.  The first stage was erected on Pad 17-A
on Wednesday, April 23.  The second stage erection was completed on
Monday, April 28 and the fairing was hoisted into the white room on
April 30.  The Simulated Flight test of the first stage was
successfully completed May 9.  The spacecraft is scheduled to be
mated to the third stage in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility
(PHSF) on May 23.  MER-2 will be transported to the launch pad on
May 27.


MISSION: Mars Exploration Rover (MER-B vehicle/MER-1 rover)

LAUNCH VEHICLE: Delta II Heavy
LAUNCH PAD:  17-B
LAUNCH DATE:  June 25, 2003
LAUNCH TIME:  12:38:16 a.m. / 1:19:19 a.m. EDT

On MER-1, rover installation onto the base petal and lander air bag
installation were completed on May 9.  The operation to install the
backshell over the lander begins tonight and is scheduled to be
complete on Friday.  Full integration of the MER-1 entry vehicle
(back shell, heat shield, lander and rover) is to be completed by May
21 and followed by mating the entry vehicle to the cruise stage. 

The MER-B vehicle's first stage is on Pad 17-B and the solid rocket
boosters will be erected May 19-24; the second stage will be hoisted
atop the first stage on May 28. 

The MER-B launch period closes July 15.


MISSION:  SCISAT-1/Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment

LAUNCH VEHICLE: Pegasus XL
LAUNCH FACILITY: Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
LAUNCH DATE: NET July 25, 2003
LAUNCH TIME:  10:36:55 p.m. - 11:34:04 p.m.  PDT

The SCISAT spacecraft is completing final testing at the Canadian
Space Agency's David Florida Laboratories.  The pre-ship review prior
to transportation of the spacecraft to Vandenberg Air Force Base is
to be held near the end of the month. 

SCISAT-1 weighs approximately 330 pounds and will be placed in a
400-mile-high polar orbit to investigate processes that control the
distribution of ozone in the upper atmosphere. 

Meanwhile, the Pegasus XL rocket is undergoing prelaunch preparations
at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California by Orbital Sciences
Corporation. 

The scientific mission of SCISAT-1/ACE (Atmospheric Chemistry
Experiment) mission is to measure and understand the chemical
processes that control the distribution of ozone in the Earth's
atmosphere, particularly at high altitudes.  The data from the
satellite will provide Canadian and international scientists with
improved measurements relating to global ozone processes and help
policy makers assess existing environmental policy and develop
protective measures for improving the health of our atmosphere,
preventing further zone depletion.  The mission is designed to last
two years. 


MISSION: Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF)

LAUNCH VEHICLE: Delta II Heavy
LAUNCH PAD: 17-B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
LAUNCH DATE:  August 27, 2003 
LAUNCH TIME:   TBD

The SIRTF observatory is in NASA's class 10,000 laminar flow clean
room at spacecraft Hangar AE awaiting its return to the launch pad,
currently anticipated to occur in mid-August. 

Project management of SIRTF for NASA is by the Jet Propulsion
Laboratory.  The observatory has been built for NASA by Lockheed
Martin and Ball Aerospace. 

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