CAPE CANAVERAL - After a four-month delay, space shuttle Discovery is just hours away from blasting off on its final mission ever.
NASA's most experienced orbiter – and the most-flown spacecraft ever – is set for launch at 4:50 p.m. on a resupply mission to the international space station. Among the crew of six is Clearwater's Nicole Stott, making her second spaceflight.
Discovery was supposed to make this flight last October, but a fuel leak forced a delay during which cracks in the shuttle's giant fuel tank were found. An extensive analysis led to a series of repairs that wrapped around the entire circumference of the tank.
With beefed-up supports on the tank, Discovery rolled back out to the seaside launch pad last month and has enjoyed a smooth countdown so far.
Forecasters expect this week's good weather to continue. There is now a 90-percent chance of acceptable conditions for launch, with low clouds and a stray shower being the only real concern.
But even if the weather is perfect, Discovery's launch will still hinge on the successful docking of a European cargo carrier that launched last week. The unmanned freighter is scheduled to link up with the station just six hours before the shuttle's launch; should anything go wrong, Discovery may have to stand down.
NASA's most experienced orbiter – and the most-flown spacecraft ever – is set for launch at 4:50 p.m. on a resupply mission to the international space station. Among the crew of six is Clearwater's Nicole Stott, making her second spaceflight.
Discovery was supposed to make this flight last October, but a fuel leak forced a delay during which cracks in the shuttle's giant fuel tank were found. An extensive analysis led to a series of repairs that wrapped around the entire circumference of the tank.
With beefed-up supports on the tank, Discovery rolled back out to the seaside launch pad last month and has enjoyed a smooth countdown so far.
Forecasters expect this week's good weather to continue. There is now a 90-percent chance of acceptable conditions for launch, with low clouds and a stray shower being the only real concern.
But even if the weather is perfect, Discovery's launch will still hinge on the successful docking of a European cargo carrier that launched last week. The unmanned freighter is scheduled to link up with the station just six hours before the shuttle's launch; should anything go wrong, Discovery may have to stand down.
Source:http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/scitech/space/discovery-set-for-final-mission-022411
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