NASA News
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration

John F. Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899
AC 407 867-2468
____________________________________________________________________________
George Diller					For Release:
(407) 867-2468					April 2, 1999

KSC Release No.  23-99

FUSE SATELLITE ARRIVES IN FLORIDA FOR LAUNCH PREPARATIONS

NASA's Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) satellite arrived
Thursday, April 1 at NASA Hangar AE on Cape Canaveral Air Station to begin
prelaunch processing for launch next month.

 FUSE will investigate the origin and evolution of the lightest elements in
the universe-hydrogen and deuterium. In addition, the FUSE satellite will
examine the forces and process involved in the evolution of the galaxies,
stars and planetary systems.  FUSE will do this by investigating light in
the far ultraviolet portion the electromagnetic spectrum.

FUSE processing will begin on Monday, April 5 with the removal of the
protective covering which surrounded the spacecraft during shipping. Then a
functional test of the satellite's systems will be performed.  Other
milestones while FUSE is in the ultra-high clean room facility at Hangar AE
are the installation of flight batteries and the installation and testing of
the solar arrays. There will also be testing of the satellite's
communications and data systems while linking FUSE with the spacecraft
control center at The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.

Meanwhile, at Pad A on Launch Complex 17, preparations will soon be underway
to prepare the Boeing Delta II rocket for launch.  The first stage will be
erected at the pad on April 29 and three solid rocket boosters will be
attached to the first stage the following day.  The Delta second stage will
be hoisted atop the first stage on May 1.  FUSE is scheduled to arrive at
the pad for mating to the Delta on May 12.  Finally, the nose fairing will
be placed around the satellite on May 15.

The launch of FUSE  is scheduled for May 20 at the opening of a launch
window which extends from 11:36 a.m. to 12:48 p.m. EDT.

FUSE was developed and will be operated by The Johns Hopkins University
under contract to Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD. The management
of the launch is the responsibility of Kennedy Space Center, FL.