April 17, 2009

George H. Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
george.h.diller@nasa.gov

STATUS REPORT: ELV-041709

EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT

Mission: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter/Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LRO/LCROSS)
Launch Vehicle: Atlas V
Launch Pad: Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Launch Date: No earlier than June 2, 2009
Launch Window: TBD

LRO spacecraft testing continues. This week the high gain antenna and solar arrays were deployed for "range of motion," or gimbal, tests.The high gain antenna was then stowed for flight. The solar arrays were stowed and are scheduled to be attached to the spacecraft April 20. Installation of thermal blankets is also under way.

The LCROSS spacecraft will begin preparations for fueling on April 24. LRO will begin fuel loading on May 5.

The Atlas V rocket is scheduled to be moved from the hangar at the Atlas Space Operations Facility to the Vertical Integration Facility near the launch pad on April 22 for Atlas Centaur integration.

Previous status reports are available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launchingrockets/status/index.html