From: yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee)
Subject: TDRS-F mated to IUS-13 for January Endeavour launch [Release 137-92/KSC] (Forwarded)
Apparently-To: sci-space-news@ames.arc.nasa.gov
Followup-To: sci.space
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1992 23:33:14 GMT

          George Diller                                     October 5, 1992
          Kennedy Space Center
          407/867-2468

          Jessie Katz
          Goddard Space Flight Center
          301/286-5566

          Jerry Berg
          Marshall Space Flight Center
          205/544-0034

          KSC Release No. 137-92


          TDRS-F MATED TO IUS-13  FOR JANUARY ENDEAVOUR LAUNCH

               NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-F) was mated
          today to its Inertial Upper Stage booster (IUS-13 ) in the
          Kennedy Space Center's Vertical Processing Facility.

               TRDS-F is the primary payload for the STS-54  mission to be
          flown aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour scheduled for launch in
          mid-January.  In preparation for the mission, two significant
          tests will be performed before the payload leaves the Vertical
          Processing Facility.

               The Interface Verification Test, or IVT, is scheduled for
          Oct. 16.  This test will verify the electrical connections
          between the two payload elements and the interface compatability
          of the payload stack with the Space Shuttle vehicle.

               An End-to-End test is scheduled to follow on Oct. 20.
          This is a network communications test to verify links between the
          payload and numerous ground-based facilities including the
          Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD., the TDRS ground
          station at White Sands, NM, the TRW plant in California, the
          Johnson Space Center in Houston, the MILA tracking station at
          Kennedy Space Center, the TDRS checkout station at Hangar AO on
          Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, and the Air Force Consolidated
          Space Test Center (CSTC) in Sunnyvale, CA.  All possible data
          link conditions are created to verify that there is proper
          communication with the payload.

               The payload is scheduled to be moved to the launch pad in
          mid to late November and will be fueled in the payload changeout
          room. After installation into the payload bay of the Space
          Shuttle Endeavour, tests will be performed to verify the
          interfaces between the payload and the orbiter.

               The Inertial Upper Stage is built by Boeing and arrived at
          KSC from a checkout facility at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
          on Sept. 21.  The TDRS-F spacecraft was delivered by C-5A
          aircraft from the TRW plant in Redondo Beach, CA. on Sept. 24.

               NASA's Office of Space Communications, Wsahington, D.C., is
          responsible for overall program management of the Tracking and
          Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS). NASA's Goddard Space Flight
          Center, Greenbelt, MD., manages the operation of the TDRSS.
          Project management for the Inertial Upper Stage is by the
          Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL.
Newsgroups: sci.space.news