The launch of the Deep Impact spacecraft has been rescheduled for no earlier than Jan. 12. During a review of launch vehicle hardware, it was discovered that some components of the inter-stage adapter did not receive proper heat treatment and must be removed and replaced. The inter-stage adapter is located between the first and second stage of the rocket. A Boeing engineer reviewing an "as-built" drawing of the vehicle discovered the inter-stage had not been heat treated to a revised higher specification.

The second stage will be removed from the vehicle on Dec. 15, the inter-stage adapter removed on Dec. 16, a new inter-stage adapter installed on Dec. 17, and the second stage re-installed on Dec. 18.

In processing activities at the Astrotech Space Operations facility located near Kennedy Space Center, the high-gain antenna used for Deep Impact communications with Earth has been installed. The solar array panels have successfully completed an illumination test as a final check of their performance. The flight battery associated with the solar array panels has been installed. Fueling of the spacecraft is scheduled to start on Dec. 19 and be completed on Dec. 22. Mating to the payload attach fitting and upper stage booster occurs Dec. 29 - 30.

At Launch Pad 17-B, the loading of liquid oxygen aboard the first stage for a leak check and a countdown launch team certification exercise occurred Dec. 13. The vehicle guidance and control system check occurs on Dec. 28. The Flight Simulation, a plus count that exercises all of the systems on the vehicle as they will occur during powered flight, is scheduled for Dec. 29.

The Deep Impact spacecraft is now scheduled to be transported to Pad 17-B on Jan. 3 and mated to the Boeing Delta II rocket. The Flight Program Verification, the major integrated test with the Delta II, occurs on Dec. 30. The Delta II payload fairing will be installed around the Deep Impact spacecraft on Jan. 7.