Tag: STS-133
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STS-133: FRR approves Discovery’s launch for next Thursday
As had been expected over the last 24 hours, managers at the Flight Readiness Review (FRR) approved the February 24 launch date target for Discovery’s final trip into space on the STS-133 mission. With flight rationale for the modification to the External Tank (ET-137) stringers the main discussion, ATV-2’s docking – just hours before Discovery…
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STS-133: Discovery on track for February 24 launch thanks to IPR resolutions
After what was an eventful pad flow for Discovery last week, STS-133 is enjoying a relatively trouble-free final week ahead of S0007 (Launch Countdown) operations. Despite the one day delay to Ariane 5’s successful launch of ATV-2, shuttle managers remain focused on a February 24 launch date, pending Flight Readiness Review (FRR) approval. STS-133 Latest:…
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STS-133: Approval to press towards Agency FRR amid eventful pad flow
Space Shuttle Program (SSP) managers have completed their Delta Flight Readiness Review (FRR) with a decision to press on to the primary Agency FRR next Friday. The expected decision came after managers reviewed the current flight rationale for External Tank (ET-137) following its modifications, although Discovery’s pad rats are having to work through numerous issues…
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STS-133: NASA Considering Soyuz Flyaround to Photograph Discovery and ISS
NASA managers are investigating a proposed plan that would see a Soyuz spacecraft undock from the International Space Station (ISS) during the upcoming STS-133 mission in order to take photographs of the orbital outpost, along with its record number of attached Visiting Vehicles (VVs) and the docked Space Shuttle Discovery. A Family Portrait: During the STS-133 mission,…
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STS-133: Discovery inspected following pad incident during GUCP work
The STS-133 stack has been checked for damage after a feeler gauge came apart during work to remove ET-137’s Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate (GUCP). The incident resulted in nine blades from the tool falling down the pad, with one becoming embedded in the tank – resulting in minor foam damage – before high winds dislodged it.…
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STS-133: GUCP to be disassembled at pad – SRBs into hyper loading tasks
With just over two weeks to launch, engineers will disassemble the Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate (GUCP) at the pad, after it was noted the troublesome hardware failed a leak check. Several contingency days exist in the STS-133 pad flow, as engineers press on with S0024 hyper loading tasks on the Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs). STS-133…
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STS-133: Discovery enjoying early pad flow – ET-137 flight rationale positive
Discovery remains on track for an opening launch attempt on February 24, as the stack is put through S0009 Launch Pad Validation task out at Complex 39A. No issues have been reported, as preparations pick up for the Delta Flight Readiness Reviews (FRRs) – which continue to show a clear path towards the required flight…
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STS-133 rolls out to 39A – Managers call for ET-122 radius block installation
Discovery has completed her journey back out to Pad 39A with her modified External Tank (ET-137), with first motion at 8pm local on Monday evening, following an issue-free installation of radius blocks on most of its intertank stringers. With a high-level of confidence in the mitigation of further cracks on the stringers during loading and…
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STS-133: Stringer repairs to be completed on ET-137 this week
A group of United Space Alliance (USA) and Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) technicians and engineers have finished work on modifying the stringers on Discovery’s External Tank (ET-137), with only foam application tasks outstanding. With the root cause evaluations and subsequent modifications ensuring there is “no uncertainty” on all flight tanks, STS-133 remains on track for rollout…
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STS-133 launch remains on track as Bowen replaces the injured Kopra
Discovery’s final mission to the International Space Station (ISS) remains on track for February 24, despite a late change to the crew. With Mission Specialist – and lead spacewalker – Tim Kopra injured in a biking accident, managers have decided to assign Steve Bowen as part of the crew as his replacement, with Kopra’s MS2…