June 28, 2002
For Immediate Release
The launch of NASA's Comet Nucleus Tour (CONTOUR) spacecraft aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket has been postponed to no earlier than Wednesday, July 3. During installation of the launch vehicle fairing around the spacecraft on Thursday, possible particulate contamination was observed on the top solar array panel. As a precautionary measure, this particulate is being analyzed to determine its composition and what further action, if any, is necessary.
Should launch occur on July 3, the launch time would be 2:47:41 a.m. EDT. The prelaunch press conference would be held on Monday, July 1, at 1 p.m. EDT. The CONTOUR launch period extends until July 25 without affecting the mission.
If further attention to the spacecraft will be required, additional status will be released on Monday.
The Applied Physics Laboratory, a division of The Johns Hopkins University, meets critical national challenges through the innovative application of science and technology. For information, visit www.jhuapl.edu.
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