 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Delta II Pre-Launch Test Successful
Vandenberg AFB CA (SPX) Apr 5, 2006 Engineers completed a flight simulation of the Delta II rocket Tuesday at Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex 2, while technicians prepared the rocket's payload - the CALIPSO and CloudSat spacecraft. The launch is scheduled for 6:02 a.m. Pacific Time on April 21. Additional pre-flight items include transportation from the payload processing facility to the launch complex during Saturday's pre-dawn hours, where the two satellites will be mated to the Delta II. The Flight Program Verification - an integrated electrical and mechanical flight test involving the Delta II and the CALIPSO/CloudSat payload - is planned for April 11. Installation of the launch vehicle's ordnance will follow on April 13, as are the payload closeouts, followed by installation of the fairing around the spacecraft on April 14-15. CloudSat and CALIPSO - for Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations - will provide a new, 3-D perspective on Earth's clouds and airborne particles called aerosols. The satellites will answer questions about how clouds and aerosols form, evolve and affect water supply, climate, weather and air quality. Boeing's Delta II can deliver up to 4,723 pounds (2,142 kilograms) into geosynchronous transfer orbit, or up to 13,281 pounds (6 metric tons) to low-Earth orbit. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links CALIPSO CloudSat Launch Pad at Space-Travel.com
Ariane 5 Receives New Upper Stage
Kourou French Guiana (SPX) Apr 05, 2006Crews have fitted the Ariane 5 heavy-lift launch vehicle with an increased-performance ESC-A upper stage, Arianespace said Tuesday. The work is part of preparations for the rocket's scheduled mid-May launch from Europe's spaceport carrying the Satmex 6 and THAICOM 5 communications satellites. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
