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.
