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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Workers prepare the GALEX satellite for solar array testing in the Multi-Payload Processing Facility. The Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) is an orbiting space telescope that will observe galaxies in ultraviolet light across 10 billion years of cosmic history. Led by the California Institute of Technology, GALEX will conduct several first-of-a-kind sky surveys, including an extra-galactic (beyond our galaxy) ultraviolet all-sky survey. During its 29-month mission GALEX will produce the first comprehensive map of a Universe of galaxies under construction, bringing more understanding of how galaxies like the Milky Way were formed. GALEX is due to be launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station March 25 via a Pegasus rocket. KSC-03pd0480
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., workers from Ball Aerospace check the star trackers on NASA's Kepler spacecraft before testing. Star Trackers are small aperture, space-qualified optical products which assure a spacecraft’s accurate navigation in space. A NASA Discovery mission, Kepler is specifically designed to survey our region of the Milky Way galaxy to discover hundreds of Earth-size and smaller planets in or near the habitable zone and determine how many of the billions of stars in our galaxy have such planets. Results from this mission will allow us to place our solar system within the continuum of planetary systems in the Galaxy. After processing at Astrotech, Kepler will be carried to its launch pad at Cape Canaveral. .NASA's planet-hunting Kepler mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than March 5 atop a Delta II rocket. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett KSC-2009-1042
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – NASA’s National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System Preparatory Project (NPP) is positioned on a test platform in a clean room inside the Astrotech Payload Processing Facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. NPP represents a critical first step in building the next-generation of Earth-observing satellites. NPP will carry the first of the new sensors developed for this satellite fleet, now known as the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS), to be launched in 2016. NPP is the bridge between NASA’s Earth Observing System (EOS) satellites and the forthcoming series of JPSS satellites. The mission will test key technologies and instruments for the JPSS missions. NPP is targeted to launch Oct. 25 from Space Launch Complex-2 aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/NPP. Photo credit: NASA/30th Communications Squadron, VAFB KSC-2011-7017
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – In the Astrotech payload processing facility on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Orbital Sciences workers and technicians secure NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2, or OCO-2, onto a test fixture. Testing and launch preparations now will get underway for its launch from Space Launch Complex 2 aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket, scheduled for July 1, 2014. The observatory will collect precise global measurements of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere and provide scientists with a better idea of the chemical compound's impacts on climate change. Scientists will analyze this data to improve our understanding of the natural processes and human activities that regulate the abundance and distribution of this important atmospheric gas. OCO-2 is a NASA Earth System Science Pathfinder Program mission managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory JPL in Pasadena, California, for NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington. Orbital Sciences built the spacecraft and provides mission operations under JPL’s leadership. To learn more about OCO-2, visit http://oco.jpl.nasa.gov. Photo credit: NASA/Doug Gruben, 30th Space Wing KSC-2014-2489
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) spacecraft ACOUSTIC CHAMBER
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, workers begin unfolding the solar array panels on the Phoenix Mars Lander spacecraft. The deployment of the panels is part of the pre-launch testing under way. Phoenix will land in icy soils near the north polar permanent ice cap of Mars and explore the history of the water in these soils and any associated rocks, while monitoring polar climate. Landing on Mars is planned in May 2008 on arctic ground where a mission currently in orbit, Mars Odyssey, has detected high concentrations of ice just beneath the top layer of soil. Phoenix is scheduled to launch Aug. 3. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton KSC-07pd1572
At Astrotech, Titusville, Fla., the GOES-M satellite is lifted at an angle on a workstand. The satellite is undergoing testing at Astrotech. The GOES-M provides weather imagery and quantitative sounding data used to support weather forecasting, severe storm tracking and meteorological research. The satellite is scheduled to launch July 12 on an Atlas-IIA booster, Centaur upper stage from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station KSC01pp0803
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) spacecraft / SPIN TEST
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Workers begin placing the canister segments around the base of the wrapped Ocean Surface Topography Mission, or OSTM/Jason 2, spacecraft. Once the canister is fully in place, the OSTM/Jason 2 will be transported to the launch pad. The launch of the OSTM/Jason 2 aboard a Delta II rocket is scheduled for Friday, June 20, from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The launch window extends from 12:46 a.m. to 12:55 a.m. PDT. The satellite will be placed in an 830-mile-high orbit at an inclination of 66 degrees after separating from the Delta II 55 minutes after liftoff. The five primary science instruments of the Ocean Surface Topography Mission aboard the Jason 2 spacecraft are dedicated to measuring ocean surface height. These measurements will be used to evaluate and forecast climate changes and improve weather forecasting. The results also are expected to help forecasters better predict hurricane intensity. Photo credit: NASA/Dan Liberotti KSC-08pd1668
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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Workers in the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility 2 check the lowering of the Comet Nucleus Tour (CONTOUR) spacecraft onto a spin table. CONTOUR will provide the first detailed look into the heart of a comet -- the nucleus. Flying as close as 60 miles (100 kilometers) to at least two comets, the spacecraft will take the sharpest pictures yet of a nucleus while analyzing the gas and dust that surround these rocky, icy building blocks of the solar system. Launch of CONTOUR aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket is scheduled for July 1 from Launch Pad 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station KSC-02pd0825
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers in the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility 2 move a solar panel toward the Comet Nucleus Tour (CONTOUR) spacecraft (in the background) for installation. The spacecraft will provide the first detailed look into the heart of a comet -- the nucleus. The spacecraft will fly as close as 60 miles (100 kilometers) to at least two comets and will take the sharpest pictures yet of the nucleus while analyzing the gas and dust that surround these rocky, icy building blocks of the solar system. Launch of CONTOUR aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket is scheduled for July 1 from Launch Pad 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station KSC-02pd0795
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers in the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility 2 install a solar panel on the Comet Nucleus Tour (CONTOUR) spacecraft. CONTOUR will provide the first detailed look into the heart of a comet -- the nucleus. The spacecraft will fly as close as 60 miles (100 kilometers) to at least two comets and will take the sharpest pictures yet of the nucleus while analyzing the gas and dust that surround these rocky, icy building blocks of the solar system. Launch of CONTOUR aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket is scheduled for July 1 from Launch Pad 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station KSC-02pd0798
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers in the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility 2 lift a solar panel onto the Comet Nucleus Tour (CONTOUR) spacecraft for installation of the panel. The spacecraft will provide the first detailed look into the heart of a comet -- the nucleus. The spacecraft will fly as close as 60 miles (100 kilometers) to at least two comets and will take the sharpest pictures yet of the nucleus while analyzing the gas and dust that surround these rocky, icy building blocks of the solar system. Launch of CONTOUR aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket is scheduled for July 1 from Launch Pad 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station KSC-02pd0800
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers in the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility 2 complete the installation of a solar panel onto the Comet Nucleus Tour (CONTOUR) spacecraft. The spacecraft will provide the first detailed look into the heart of a comet -- the nucleus. The spacecraft will fly as close as 60 miles (100 kilometers) to at least two comets and will take the sharpest pictures yet of the nucleus while analyzing the gas and dust that surround these rocky, icy building blocks of the solar system. Launch of CONTOUR aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket is scheduled for July 1 from Launch Pad 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station KSC-02pd0801
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Comet Nucleus Tour (CONTOUR) spacecraft settles on the spin table in the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility 2 for its spin test. CONTOUR will provide the first detailed look into the heart of a comet -- the nucleus. Flying as close as 60 miles (100 kilometers) to at least two comets, the spacecraft will take the sharpest pictures yet of a nucleus while analyzing the gas and dust that surround these rocky, icy building blocks of the solar system. Launch of CONTOUR aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket is scheduled for July 1 from Launch Pad 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station KSC-02pd0826
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Comet Nucleus Tour (CONTOUR) spacecraft is ready to be raised for its move to a spin table in the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility 2. CONTOUR will provide the first detailed look into the heart of a comet -- the nucleus. Flying as close as 60 miles (100 kilometers) to at least two comets, the spacecraft will take the sharpest pictures yet of a nucleus while analyzing the gas and dust that surround these rocky, icy building blocks of the solar system. Launch of CONTOUR aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket is scheduled for July 1 from Launch Pad 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station KSC-02pd0823
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers in the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility 2 lift and move a solar panel toward the Comet Nucleus Tour (CONTOUR) spacecraft (in the background) for installation of the panel. The spacecraft will provide the first detailed look into the heart of a comet -- the nucleus. The spacecraft will fly as close as 60 miles (100 kilometers) to at least two comets and will take the sharpest pictures yet of the nucleus while analyzing the gas and dust that surround these rocky, icy building blocks of the solar system. Launch of CONTOUR aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket is scheduled for July 1 from Launch Pad 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station KSC-02pd0799
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers in the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility 2 move a solar panel toward the Comet Nucleus Tour (CONTOUR) spacecraft (in the background) for installation of the panel. The spacecraft will provide the first detailed look into the heart of a comet -- the nucleus. The spacecraft will fly as close as 60 miles (100 kilometers) to at least two comets and will take the sharpest pictures yet of the nucleus while analyzing the gas and dust that surround these rocky, icy building blocks of the solar system. Launch of CONTOUR aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket is scheduled for July 1 from Launch Pad 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station KSC-02pd0797
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Workers in the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility 2 watch as the Comet Nucleus Tour (CONTOUR) spacecraft is raised to vertical for transfer to a spin table. CONTOUR will provide the first detailed look into the heart of a comet -- the nucleus. Flying as close as 60 miles (100 kilometers) to at least two comets, the spacecraft will take the sharpest pictures yet of a nucleus while analyzing the gas and dust that surround these rocky, icy building blocks of the solar system. Launch of CONTOUR aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket is scheduled for July 1 from Launch Pad 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station KSC-02pd0824
Summary
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Workers in the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility 2 watch as the Comet Nucleus Tour (CONTOUR) spacecraft is raised to vertical for transfer to a spin table. CONTOUR will provide the first detailed look into the heart of a comet -- the nucleus. Flying as close as 60 miles (100 kilometers) to at least two comets, the spacecraft will take the sharpest pictures yet of a nucleus while analyzing the gas and dust that surround these rocky, icy building blocks of the solar system. Launch of CONTOUR aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket is scheduled for July 1 from Launch Pad 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Tags
kennedy space center
workers
spacecraft
encapsulation
encapsulation facility
comet
nucleus
comet nucleus tour
contour
transfer
spin
table
spin table
heart
kilometers
two comets
pictures
gas
dust
blocks
system
delta
rocket
delta ii rocket
launch pad
station
cape canaveral air force station ksc
air force
cape canaveral
high resolution
satellite
nasa
Date
30/05/2002
Location
Source
NASA
Link
Copyright info
Public Domain Dedication (CC0)