TIMED Spacecraft Transported to Launch Site

In preparation for its transport to the launch pad, the TIMED spacecraft and its launch partner, the Jason-1 spacecraft, were placed inside a specially designed shipping container with instrumentation to record humidity, temperature, shock and pressure. A continuous nitrogen purge was maintained on the TIMED spacecraft to keep moisture and contaminants out - keeping the spacecraft's instruments extremely clean. The container was then loaded onto a custom flatbed truck equipped with special shocks to reduce vibration to the spacecraft during transport from the payload processing facility to the launch site at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. At the site, launch team members placed the spacecraft onto the pad.

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TIMED Begins Testing at Vandenberg Air Force Base

Upon the spacecraft's arrival at Vandenberg Air Force Base, APL, NASA, and Vandenberg teams unloaded the spacecraft and its ground support equipment, and transported it to one of Vandenberg's space launch complexes, where TIMED is being prepared for launch.

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TIMED Arrives at Vandenberg Air Force Base

NASA's TIMED spacecraft arrived safely at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., on May 30, at approximately 1 p.m. Pacific time. The spacecraft began its journey early that morning from The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), where it was designed and built, to Andrews Air Force Base. There, it was loaded onto a C-17 military cargo plane and flown directly to Vandenberg.

Upon the spacecraft's arrival at Vandenberg, APL, NASA and Vandenberg teams unloaded the spacecraft and its ground support equipment, and transported it to one of Vandenberg's space launch complexes, where TIMED will be prepared for launch.

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TIMED Spacecraft Ships from APL to Vandenberg Air Force Base

NASA's TIMED spacecraft was shipped May 30, 2001, in preparation for its upcoming launch from the Western Range, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The spacecraft was transported on a custom flatbed truck equipped with special shocks to reduce vibration to the spacecraft and its systems during transport from APL (where the spacecraft was designed and built) to Andrews Air Force Base. At Andrews the spacecraft, ground support equipment and critical personnel boarded a C-17 military cargo aircraft and flew directly to Vandenberg Air Force Base. The transport was made possible by the 89th Aerial Port Squadron, Andrews Air Force Base and the 315th Air Wing, Charleston Air Force Base.

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