Preparation of space shuttle Discovery for its ferry flight back to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida is running ahead of schedule at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center in California. Managers expect that Discovery will be ready to begin its cross-country ferry flight atop a modified Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft by Friday morning.
The all-day process of draining of residual fuels, oxidizers and other hazardous chemicals from Discovery’s Orbital Maneuvering System, a process that requires all technicians working near or on the shuttle to wear protective suits and respiratory equipment, was completed Tuesday afternoon. Installation of the aerodynamic tail cone could occur as early as late Wednesday. Mating of Discovery to the modified 747 could begin as early as Thursday morning.
The final schedule for Discovery’s departure from Edwards will be determined at a Flight Readiness Review, currently slated for Thursday afternoon. If departure occurs Friday morning, the 747-shuttle combo could arrive at Kennedy as early as late Saturday, weather and other factors permitting.