At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, technicians are scheduled to complete Discovery’s payload premate test today. The drag chute door installation and checkout was completed last night. Removal of the three main engines is planned for tomorrow following an issue with a turbopump in engine 1. The turbopump will be replaced and the engines will be reinstalled.
The astronauts continue their training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston for the STS-133 mission. The crew members are working on robotics tasks today they will use during the flight to the International Space Station.
Space Shuttle Program managers are considering a change request that would move the launch dates for STS-133 and STS-134. The submittal targets STS-133 for launch on Oct. 29 and STS-134 on Feb. 28, 2011. The change is under review and any changes will be announced at the first of July. Currently, targeted dates remain officially scheduled for: STS-133 – Sept. 16 and STS-134 – late-November.