[amsat-bb] Glory Launch SUSPENDED

[Clint Bradford]

Feb. 24, 2011

Steve Cole 
Headquarters, Washington      
202-358-0918 
stephen.e.cole at nasa.gov   


MEDIA ADVISORY: M11-056

NASA ASSESSING NEW LAUNCH DATES FOR THE GLORY MISSION

WASHINGTON -- 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. 

For status updates on the Glory launch, visit: 



http://www.nasa.gov/glory   

	
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