Space shuttle Discovery’s team are preparing for an upcoming launch. The space shuttle’s planned move to the launch pad 39A from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) will take place on Monday, Jan. 31. The Discovery’s International Space Station final flight, the STS-133 mission, is scheduled for February 24, 2011, before it enters retirement.
NASA engineers at the VAB completed replacement of shuttle’s mechanical parts and fuel tank modifications. Operations are underway to transport it to Launch Pad 39A as scheduled.
The distance from the VAB to the launch pad is approximately 3.4 miles. A giant crawler will transport the shuttle. Scientists anticipate the three-mile journey to continue the span of about six hours.
The final mission for the Discovery will last roughly 11 days, delivering and installing the Permanent Multipurpose Module and other spare critical modules for the space station. At some stage in the mission, the Discovery will also deliver components to the Express Logistics Carrier 4, which is the exterior platform where the larger equipment is stored. One of the final stages of the mission involves the Discovery delivering the Robonaut 2, commonly referred to as R2. The R2 will become the first multiple intelligence type robot to permanently reside at the International Space Station.
In November, the first attempt to launch the Discovery was cancelled due to a gaseous hydrogen leak. The shuttle was returned to the VAB for x rays and repairs, readying it for the scheduled launch in February.
Upon completion of this mission, the Space Shuttle Discovery will have made 39 flights during its active time in the space program.
NASA has authorized live coverage and plans to air highlights of the first movement on the agency’s television video file.
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