Tag: STS-133
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NASA Discusses STS-133 Mission Timeline Requirements And Guidelines
With the MOD FRR (Mission Operations Directorate Flight Readiness Review) and the Space Shuttle Program (SSP) FRR complete, NASA is quickly approaching the final stretch of Discovery’s pad processing for her capstone mission. Among the various items to receive attention at these two FRRs were the various mission timelines that might play out during the…
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Discovery working payload installation issues – Green light for Agency FRR
The STS-133 flow has been slightly impacted by a delay relating to a problem with the Payload Ground Handling Mechanism (PGHM) at Pad 39A. However, Discovery remains on track the November 1 launch date, to be approved at the Agency Flight Readiness Review (FRR) – which will take place on October 25, following a “Go”…
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PMM Leonardo: The Final Permanent U.S. Module for the ISS
Arriving at Pad 39A on Thursday, prior to marking a significant milestone for not only the Space Shuttle/International Space Station Program, but also the U.S. space program in general, the flight of PMM Leonardo – the premiere payload element for Discovery’s final flight – to the ISS will mark the delivery and installation of the final…
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Discovery’s Launch Windows and PRSD Requirements Reviewed by MOD
As NASA and Space Shuttle Discovery prepare for two important milestones this week in the STS-133/ULF-5 launch campaign (the SSP FRR on Wednesday and the ULF-5 payload to pad delivery on Thursday), flight managers are pressing ahead with their review of the specific PRSD requirements for Discovery as well as her available launch window opportunities…
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Standard, Non-Standard Work, and Procedure Changes Reviewed for STS-133
With just under one month to go before the final launch of Discovery, the tell-tale series of Flight Readiness Reviews (FRRs) are underway as NASA prepares to close out the year with the STS-133 flight to the ISS. Among the various items discussed at the STS-133 Mission Operations Directorate (MOD) FRR was the remaining standard and…
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STS-133 completes hyper loading – Discovery may star in Transformers movie
With the departmental Flight Readiness Reviews (FRRs) ongoing – leading up to the SSP (Space Shuttle Program) FRR set for next week – Discovery continues to enjoy a smooth pad flow, as the milestone of hyper loading (S0024) was completed on Saturday. The veteran orbiter is also enjoying a weekend at the movies, as filming…
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STS-133: Discovery enjoying early pad flow – Agency FRR may slip
Discovery is behaving well during the early part of what is her final pad flow, with only one issue reported as the stack continues Launch Pad Validation tasks (S0009). Away from Pad 39A, managers are beginning their departmental Flight Readiness Review (FRR) meetings, leading up to the key Agency FRR – which is likely to…
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STS-133: Discovery arrives at Pad 39A – ET-122 to ship on Tuesday
In what is highly likely to be her final rollout, Discovery – as the STS-133 stack – departed from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) Monday evening (7:23pm local time), before making good time for an arrival at Pad 39A, just after 1:15am. Meanwhile, the final External Tank (ET-122) – sporting its numerous repair patches –…
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STS-133: Discovery still tracking Monday rollout after T-0 bolt progress
Discovery is not one to go quietly into the night, as engineers work through the second large issue to be suffered during the veteran orbiter’s final visit to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). Damage to a T-0 umbilical bolt is close to being resolved, thanks to the skills of her engineering teams, which will allow…
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STS-133: Engineers complete repair on Discovery following ET mate issue
Discovery suffered a setback during mating operations between the orbiter and her External Tank (ET-137) on Friday, when an internal nut – prepositioned inside the aft compartment of the orbiter – became loose and moved out of position, negating the possibility of installing a flight structural bolt. Engineers successfully accessed the area to conduct a…