Japan Postpones MUSES-C Launch To Asteroid Until May 2003

IRON AND ICE

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Tokyo - Jan 06, 2003
Japan's MUSES-C mission to a near earth asteroid has undergone a series of comprehensive performance tests toward its launch scheduled at the end of 2002. However, it has now been decided to postpone to a backup launch in May 2003.

It all started with the detection of gas leak from a pressure-regulating valve during an airtight test of the orbit-attitude control propulsion system (RCS) conducted in late April 2002.

"Our inspection showed that it was due to an incorrect size O-ring that keeps the valve airtight. The broken ring was promptly replaced by a proper-sized ring and the problem seemed solved," said ISAS officals in a status report released late last December.

However, when the material of the ring was examined by way of precaution, it was found that the material used was different from the one specified in the spec.

Many other O-rings of the same type are used for the pressure-regulating valves of MUSES-C and if their material differs from the one in the spec, they may cause problems in the vapor tolerance of fuel and oxidizer.

Besides, the RCS is built by welding, which prevents us from removing the valves for checking. Therefore, some other verification measures such as a gas chromatographic non-destructive test were conducted, which took several months before reaching an OK level and as a result, delayed the launch of MUSES-C schedule at the end of 2002.

With a strong support from the Space Development and Utilization Division of Mext, an approval for the launch in May was obtained from Japan Associated Fisheries, which was reported to the Space Development Committee held on September 26. Though the launch is delayed 6 months, there is no change in the schedule of arrival at the asteroid in 2005 and return to Earth in 2007.

SPACEDAILY

MUSES-C Launch Put Off

Sagamihara City - Oct 15, 2002
The MUSES-C ISAS asteroid mission which was scheduled to be launched in coming December, has been put off till the next launch window (May 2003).

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