The payload for space shuttle Discovery’s STS-133 mission to the International Space Station now is at NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad 39A in Florida. The payload container, which is carrying the Permanent Multipurpose Module and spare parts and supplies for the station, was moved from Kennedy’s Canister Rotation Facility starting at 12:05 a.m. EDT. It arrived at the launch pad at just after 2 a.m.
The payload canister now will be lifted into the pad’s payload changeout room and then installed into Discovery’s cargo bay next week.
The Space Shuttle Program held its Flight Readiness Review meeting yesterday. No issues were identified that would delay Discovery’s targeted launch on Nov. 1 at 4:40 p.m. Space Shuttle Program Manager John Shannon polled the team and it was a unanimous “go” to proceed toward Nov. 1.
Managers will meet on Oct. 25 for the agency-level Flight Readiness Review to discuss the shuttle and station’s status and officially set the launch date.