STS-133 Launch Preps Move Ahead; ATV-2 Aims to Launch Today

If the European Space Agency’s Automated Transfer Vehicle-2 launches as scheduled at 4:50 p.m. EST today, space shuttle Discovery’s target launch date will not necessarily move from Feb. 24. NASA managers will discuss the options and decide Discovery’s official launch date during Friday’s STS-133 Flight Readiness Review.

At NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad 39A, teams continue preparations for next week’s launch attempt. At NASA’s Johnson Space Center, STS-133 crew is conducting its final integrated ascent sim today in the motion base simulator and reviewing robotics procedures today.