July 8, 2004

Gretchen Cook-Anderson
Headquarters, Washington
(Phone: 202/358-0836)

George H. Diller 
Kennedy Space Center
(Phone: 321/867-2468)

NOTE TO EDITORS: N04-Aura

LAUNCH ADVISORY: AURA POSTPONED 24 HOURS TO JULY 11

Earlier this week, engineers began reviewing whether suspect 
transistors affecting an unrelated non-NASA mission may be aboard the 
Aura satellite and Delta II booster and if this could have any effect 
on the mission. Yesterday, the Flight Readiness Review was 
reconvened. Spacecraft engineers decided that an additional day was 
needed to complete their review, though it was determined that there 
is not concern with the Delta II booster.

The live, interactive Aura Web cast on NASA Direct! will continue as 
scheduled today at 5:30 p.m. EDT (2:30 p.m. PDT).

The pre-launch press conference has been rescheduled to tomorrow at 3 
p.m. EDT (noon PDT) in the main conference room of the NASA Resident 
Office at Vandenberg Air Force Base and will be carried live on NASA 
Television. Media covering the press conference should meet at the 
Vandenberg south gate on California State Road 246 at 11:30 a.m. 

On launch day, July 11, programming on NASA Television will begin at 4 
a.m. EDT (1 a.m. PDT) with the start of cryogenic fueling of the 
Delta II. The launch commentary will begin at 4:30 a.m. EDT (1:30 
a.m. PDT).

Media desiring to participate in the photo opportunity for rollback of 
the Mobile Service Tower at Space Launch Complex 2 should be at the 
main gate of Vandenberg Air Force Base on California State Road 1 at 
5 p.m. Saturday, July 10. Media covering the launch should be at the 
main gate at 2 a.m. Sunday, July 11, to be escorted to the Delta 
press site on north Vandenberg Air Force Base.

Media attending the press conference or the launch are asked to call 
Air Force Lt. Michelle Mayo at 805/606-3595 in the 30th Space Wing 
Public Affairs Office.

An Aura recorded launch status for the news media is available by 
dialing 805-734-2693.

	
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