NASA News 
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration

John F. Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899
AC 321-867-2468
____________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________
For Release: Dec. 17, 2002

George H. Diller
NASA Vandenberg Resident Office
805/605-3051

Robert Villanueva
Boeing Expendable Launch Systems
714/372-2089

LAUNCH ADVISORY:
ICESat/CHIPSat LAUNCH RESCHEDULED 

The launch of NASA's ICESat and CHIPsat spacecraft aboard a Boeing Delta II
expendable launch vehicle from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., has been
postponed.  

During a review of test data, a problem within an ordnance box was found.
The difficulty is associated with the signal this unit provides for launch
vehicle devices to unlatch and separate the payload fairing. The removal and
replacement of this unit and the associated retest will take approximately
two weeks.

Launch is currently targeted for no earlier than Jan. 8, 2003, if the work
can be completed successfully as planned.

                                                                  -- end --