1998 MARS SURVEYOR PROJECT
STATUS REPORT
December 18, 1998
John McNamee
Mars Surveyor 98 Project Manager
Mars Polar Lander:
Lander launch processing activities are proceeding on schedule in the
Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility (SAEF-2) with launch
16 days away. Final electrical testing was conducted to close remaining
open test items and to perform final verification of the cruise stage
solar arrays, medium gain antenna, inertial measurement unit, and star camera.
Battery conditioning was completed. Final inspections were conducted by
all cognizant engineers and final mechanical walkdowns were conducted by
project and independent experts. The lander was mated with the STAR 48 upper
stage. The heat shield was installed and final ordnance mates were
completed. A Launch Site Readiness Review was conducted and Space
Launch Complex 17-B is ready for stacking of the lander on the Delta
launch vehicle on Monday, December 21. The lander is on schedule for launch
at the opening of the launch period on January 3, 1999 at 3:21:10 EST.
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