Propellant Tanks Refilled as Discovery’s Review Begins

Technicians at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, finished refilling shuttle Discovery’s four orbital maneuvering and reaction control systems tanks with propellants. The tanks had to be refilled after crews replaced two seals where there previously was a small hypergolic fuel leak at Discovery’s right-hand crossfeed line flange. Technicians now are preparing the spacecraft for its upcoming launch.

NASA managers are at Kennedy today for the STS-133 Flight Readiness Review, where they will discuss the readiness of the shuttle, crews, payload and International Space Station and set the official launch date. A news conference will be held live on NASA TV at the conclusion of the meeting.

The STS-133 astronauts will enter quarantine at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston this afternoon in preparation for the mission.