After the vehicle was inspected and umbilicals connected, power was applied January 19. Subsystems Reverification Tests began the following day and lasted until January 31.

The Prespacecraft Mate Verification of GLV-8 was run February 1. A launch test-procedure review was held February 2-3. During leak checks of the stage II engine on February 7, small cracks were found in the thrust chamber manifold. X-rays revealed the cracks to be confined to the weld; rewelding eliminated the problem. Systems rework and validation were completed February 9.