Kennedy Space Center workers today are retracting platforms inside Vehicle Assembly Building High Bay 3 in preparation for Discovery's planned 8 p.m. Monday rollout to launch pad 39A. It's the last time Discovery is expected to make the 3.4-mile trek out to pad A, riding atop a giant crawler-transporter that will be parked inside the assembly building today.
Teams on Thursday successfully completed interface tests checking the connections between Discovery, its external tank and twin solid rocket boosters.
The orbiter rolled into the assembly building last Thursday, Sept. 9.
The 133rd shuttle mission -- one of two remaining -- is now just over six weeks from a targeted 4:40 p.m. Nov. 1 launch to the International Space Station on what would be Discovery's 39th and final scheduled flight.
Managers will meet Monday to reassess the weather forecast and Discovery's readiness for rollout. The move's 8 p.m. start, about four hours earlier than usual, is intended to give center employees a chance to witness and photograph Discovery's exit from the VAB.
IMAGE: At Kennedy Space Center earlier this week, space shuttle Discovery is attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters in the Vehicle Assembly Building. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis
1 comment:
hope it get delayed for 2 weeks so I can see it take off!! November 14,15 would be great! :) I live in Buffalo,NY on vacation then
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