The MESSENGER Mission Readiness Brief was held this morning at NASA Headquarters, and the Review Board gave its unanimous endorsement to the MESSENGER Project to proceed with the August 2 launch.

MESSENGER is undergoing prelaunch testing and final assembly at the Astrotech Space Operations facilities near Kennedy Space Center. On June 28 the spacecraft was moved to a hazardous processing facility in preparation for loading the spacecraft's complement of hypergolic propellants.

The spacecraft's two solar arrays were installed on June 24-25 and a deployment test was conducted. Installation of thermal blankets continues. Spacecraft spin balance testing is planned for this week. Autonomy testing of the spacecraft has been successfully completed and MESSENGER is verified to operate independently when not in direct contact with Earth.

Installation of solar panels on the MESSENGER spacecraft in June.

The stacking of the Boeing Delta II launch vehicle on pad 17B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station begin on June 30, with the hoisting of the first stage atop the launcher. Attachment of the nine strap-on solid rocket boosters in sets of three was performed July 1-6. The second stage is scheduled to be hoisted into position atop the first stage on July 8.

There are no technical issues or concerns with MESSENGER or its associated Delta II at this time. The launch period for MESSENGER extends through August 13.

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