Engineers will meet at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida this morning to discuss options following an issue while venting space shuttle Discovery’s aft fuel propellant tanks in preparation for fuel loading during the weekend.
The Right Reaction Control System, or RRCS, fuel helium tank pressure unexpectedly decreased in unison with the RRCS fuel propellant tank. At least one helium isolation valve is leaking or is remaining in the open position when it is expected to be closed.
Currently, the rotating service structure rotation will be delayed to no earlier than Tuesday, March 16. Payload delivery to the pad will be delayed to no earlier than Wednesday, March 17.
Launch still is targeted for April 5.
At NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, the STS-131 astronauts will spend downtime with their families during spring break this week.