Update On The TDRS-M Satellite Launch.

Boeing and NASA are reviewing plans to safely replace a damaged antenna on the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-M). On July 14, the TDRS-M satellite’s Onmi S-band antenna was damaged while the spacecraft was undergoing closeout activities at Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Florida.

At the same time the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite team are also evaluating a possible electrostatic discharge event that happened at the launch site. The electrostatic discharge event may have affected spacecraft mechanical ground support equipment at launch complex 41.

The TDRS-M is the latest satellite to support NASA’s space based Space Network and is still on schedule for it’s August 3 launch.