This End Up.

We completed our final ACS Phasing Test and Coarse Sun Sensor Test today. With the final integration of the solar array panels, we were able to perform final testing on the ACS system. We were able to verify that the spacecraft responded correctly to external stimuli.

We also performed an end to end test of the power system which included the solar array panels.

"What's up?" [asked Ford.]
"I don't know," said Marvin, "I've never been there."

Solar Arrays Installed!

Today the Solar Arrays were installed on the Orbiter. With this complete all that remains is removal of red tag/green tag items and filling the tanks with propellant! And a bit of thermal closeout of course.

Next week includes ACS phasing tests, some Solar Array tests and a variety of closeouts and final launch configuration work.

Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now. -Johann von Goethe

Getting Ready for Launch.

The LRO spacecraft is undergoing final configurations for launch.

On Tues 4/14, the high gain antenna boom was lowered for final testing and the last trending run was performed. The final transmitter test was successfully completed. No more RF transmissions now, until after we launch.

On Wed 4/15, a series of range of motion tests were performed on both the solar array gimbal and the high gain antenna gimbal. Both mechanisms performed nominally.

Today, the high gain antenna boom was raised in preparation for the final stowing. Installation of the release actuators for the high gain and solar array systems was completed.

“Miracles come in moments. Be ready and willing.” Wayne Dyer

Mission Rehearsal 5 Completed!

The LRO Mission Operations Team completed Mission Rehearsal 5 last evening. After 5 days of round the clock operations, the Ops team did a great job successfully getting LRO to the moon. Congratulations to everyone!

Also last night, Altas successfully launched the WGS payload. Now, they are out of our way.

These were some of the last major hurdles we had left and now they are behind us. We just have to get through the final push....

“My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far today, I have finished 2 bags of M&M's and a chocolate cake. I feel better already.” Dave Barry

Fairing Cleaned and Spell Checked

The LRO fairing has completed repair of the logo and contamination inspection. It has been moved to the spin bay for further processing. LRO is tying up a few loose ends before getting ready for launch configuration starting in a week.

Cross your fingers that WGS launches tonight!

“My spelling is Wobbly. It's good spelling but it Wobbles, and the letters get in the wrong places.” A. A. Milne

MR#5 continues

All is well with Mission Rehearsal #5, now beginning Thursday, day 3. We are (simulated) 275,000 km away from the Earth, cruising to the moon without incident.

Mission Rehearsal # 5 Ongoing

LRO is 2 hours from launch during our 5 day Launch and Early Mission Rehearsal. The MOC will fly the Orbiter (at KSC plugged into the Dynamic Simulator) to the moon. Up through Launch and initial acquisition LRO control resides at KSC with the LRO launch team and after separation (simulated) from the Centaur the MOC at GSFC assumes control.

"I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have."
- Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)

Mid-Week Update

Monday we loaded an updated RTS5 onto the Orbiter and tested it. Also on Monday we performed some loose-end Start Tracker tests and worked on procs to support upcoming SIMs.

Tuesday LRO executed SIM#23 which was an integrated Launch Day Simulation. This was a very successful activity during which the Ground Networks, the MOC, the LSR team, the KSC support team, and of course the Orbiter were used to practice the entire sequence of launch day countdown activities up to launch. The Team handled the injected anomalies and green cards extremely well. Congratulations to all involved.

Work, both at KSC and at GSFC, now focuses on preparing for Mission Rehearsal #5 (MR#5) which is a Launch thru LOI rehearsal. MR#5 is a repeat of our first rehearsal, MR#2, and is the last major Rehearsal we have planned.

We can lick gravity, but sometimes the paperwork is overwhelming. - Wernher von Braun