Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2003 14:05:51 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: sirtf-astro: SIRTF launch delay

Hi folks -

Although SIRTF is in good shape and ready to go, there are issues with one
of our solid rocket motors (booster rockets), so NASA has decided to
postpone our launch until mid August (see original press release below).
We will use this delay to our advantage; some software upgrades that were
scheduled to be done after launch now can be done before launch.

We will send email when a new launch date is chosen, and when a new SPOT
version (incorporating the new launch date for visibility calculations) is
available.  For observation planning of inertial targets, the visiblities
provided by the current version of SPOT are good to ~2 days; moving
targets are of course more problematic.  

Thanks for your support and patience!  

cheers,
SIRTF Observer Support


----- Original NASA press release -------

Melissa Motichek/Don Savage
Headquarters, Washington             April 18, 2003
(Phone: 202/358-1272/1727)

RELEASE: 03-145

NASA DELAYS SIRTF LAUNCH

     NASA managers have decided to postpone the launch of 
SIRTF (Space Infrared Telescope Facility) aboard a Boeing 
Delta II rocket until no earlier than mid-August 2003.

The delay will allow engineers enough time to change out one 
of the nine solid rocket motors attached to the Delta II 
rocket, which had multiple delaminations within the layers of 
material that comprise the engine-nozzle exit-cone liner.

"There simply is not enough time to remove and replace the 
rocket motor to support a SIRTF launch in advance of the Mars 
Exploration Rover-B launch window," said Karen Poniatowski, 
Assistant Associate Administrator for Launch Services at NASA 
Headquarters, Washington.
 
The upcoming launch dates of the Mars Exploration Rovers (MER 
A and B), also on Delta II rockets, are June 6 and June 25, 
respectively. The MER-A mission, originally scheduled for May 
30, was recently rescheduled to June 6 due to a potential 
problem with cabling on the spacecraft.

The launch of the Galaxy Evolution Explorer mission, or 
GALEX, is on schedule for launch on a Pegasus rocket on April 
28.

-end-