NASA fuels Roman Space Telescope ahead of August launch
Technicians completed fueling NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope on July 25, loading 290 gallons of hydrazine at the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at Kennedy Space Center. The propellant will power two types of thrusters for transit and stationkeeping at Sun‑Earth Lagrange point 2, roughly one million miles from Earth, and will help point solar arrays toward the Sun. The team also cleaned and checked six solar array panels. Next steps include attaching the observatory to a rocket top‑stage adapter, fairing encapsulation, and a targeted no‑earlier‑than Aug. 30 Falcon Heavy launch.
The observatory was loaded with 290 gallons of hydrazine propellant.
Context
Fueling finished on July 25 at Kennedy Space Center. Technicians will attach the observatory to a rocket adapter and encapsulate it next. If all goes well, launch is targeted for Aug. 30.
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