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SPACECRAFT AND EXPENDABLE VEHICLES STATUS REPORT
April 25, 2003

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

MISSION:  Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX)

LAUNCH VEHICLE: Pegasus XL
LAUNCH PAD:  Skid Strip, Canaveral Air Force Station
LAUNCH DATE: April 28, 2003 
LAUNCH WINDOW:  7:50 - 9:50 a.m. EDT (Target drop time 8:00 a.m. EDT)
   
The launch of NASA's Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) spacecraft
aboard an Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC) air-launched Pegasus
vehicle is on schedule for launch over the Atlantic Ocean from
Orbital's L-1011 carrier aircraft on Monday, April 28 at 8 a.m. EDT.
This time is contained within a launch window that opens at 7:50 a.m.
and closes at 9:50 a.m. EDT. 

GALEX was re-mated to the Pegasus on Monday, April 7, followed by a
flight simulation on Wednesday, April 9. The GALEX/Pegasus was
transported to the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station skid strip and
mated to the L-1011 on Thursday, April 24.  An integrated test, the
Combined Systems Test (CST), is underway today.  The Launch Readiness
Review, the final review before launch, is scheduled for Saturday,
April 26. 

The launch begins with the drop of the Pegasus rocket from the L-1011
over the Atlantic Ocean at an altitude of 39,000 feet at a location
approximately 100 nautical miles offshore east-northeast of Cape
Canaveral.  The launch is expected to be visible from the coast.
Spacecraft separation from the Pegasus occurs 11 minutes later.  At
that time the satellite will be in a circular orbit of 431 statute
miles (690 km) at a 29-degree inclination. 

GALEX will observe a million galaxies across 10 billion years of
cosmic history to help astronomers determine when the stars and
galaxies we see today had their origins. The spacecraft will make the
first ultraviolet scan of the whole sky beyond the Milky Way galaxy. 

The GALEX program management is by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
and is part of Goddard's Small Explorer (SMEX) program. Spacecraft
project management is the responsibility of the Jet Propulsion
Laboratory, and the California Institute of Technology is the lead
for mission science. 

The GALEX program management is by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
and is part of Goddard's Small Explorer (SMEX) program.  Spacecraft
project management is the responsibility of the Jet Propulsion
Laboratory, and the California Institute of Technology is the lead
for mission science. 


MISSION: Mars Exploration Rovers (MER-1/MER-2)

LAUNCH VEHICLES: Delta II/Delta II Heavy
LAUNCH PADS: 17-A/17-B
LAUNCH DATES: June 5/June 25
LAUNCH TIMES: 2:56:59 p.m. / 12:38:16 a.m. EDT

Good progress has been made in the circuit board rework and the
reinstallation on the two Mars rovers.  As a result, the launch of
MER-A can be moved up by one day on the recovery schedule.  Launch is
now scheduled for Thursday, June 5. 

The first reworked telecom support board (TSB) arrived and was
installed on MER-2 on April 16.  Rover equipment deck (RED) was
reinstalled on April 17.  MER-2 lander integration was completed on
Thursday, April 24.  Integration of MER-2 entry vehicle (back shell,
heat shield, lander and rover assembly) scheduled to continue through
next week. 

On MER-1, the telecom support board (TSB) was installed on April 18.
MER-1 rover and lander base petal final assembly was completed on
Thursday, April 24.  Rover installation on base petal is in work and
scheduled to be completed by the end of next week.  Lander air bag
scheduled for installation by the end of next week. 

The 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, 2003, regardless of launch date within that
period. 

On Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, first stage and interstage were
erected on Wednesday, April 23 for MER-A on Pad 17-A.  Second stage
erection is currently scheduled for Saturday, April 26 following with
fairing installation on April 29.  Simulated Flight and Engine
Sequence is currently scheduled for May 9.  The solid motor erection
is scheduled for May 12-14. 


MISSION: Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF)

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

At Pad 17-B, the Delta fairing will be taken from around the SIRTF
spacecraft on Monday in preparation for removing the telescope from
the rocket and taking it to NASA Spacecraft Hangar AE.  Work will
then begin to remove the Delta second stage and two of the nine solid
rocket boosters from the vehicle.  The remaining solid rocket
boosters and the Delta first stage will be used for MER-B. 

The launch of SIRTF is expected to occur in the second half of
August.

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

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