TDRS-J Undergoing Testing

The Atlas II launch vehicle that will launch the TDRS-J spacecraft in orbit is at the Lockheed Martin factory in Denver, Colo., undergoing final assembly, integration and testing. Both Centaur stage engines have been installed. Associated electrical harnesses are being installed and the aft area of the stage is undergoing electrical and mechanical build-up. The arrival of the booster at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., continues to be anticipated around October 8.

The TDRS-J spacecraft is undergoing testing at the factory and is planned to arrive at Kennedy Space Center from the Boeing Satellite Systems plant in El Segundo, Calif., on or about October 17.

TDRS-J is part of the Replenishment Program (TDRS H, I, & J) that will provide three spacecraft to continue Space Network tracking, data, voice and video services to NASA scientific satellites, the Shuttle, International Space Station, and to other NASA customers by replacing the current constellation of geo-synchronous TDRS satellites (1 through 7) as they begin to exceed their lifetimes.

TDRS-J is currently schedule to launch November 20 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 10:36 p.m. EST.

For more nthe TDRS project, visit: http://tdrs.gsfc.nasa.gov/tdrsproject/