CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Following a daylong Flight Readiness Review, NASA managers declared Space Shuttle Discovery ready for launch next week. Discovery is scheduled to launch on February 24, 2011 at 4:50 PM EST.
“We had a really thorough review today,” said Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA’s associate administrator for Space Operations. “Things are looking pretty good.”
Managers, engineers and contractors went over the detailed analysis and testing performed on the support beams of Discovery’s external fuel tank during the session and reviewed the repairs and modifications made. The processes of the repairs and testing involved people throughout the agency and its centers.
“I can’t say enough about the work the teams have done,” Gerstenmaier said.
Bathed in bright xenon lights, space shuttle Discovery makes its nighttime trek, known as "rollout," from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Image Credit: NASA
The crew also underwent a change recently when astronaut Steve Bowen was assigned to take the place of Tim Kopra who was injured in a bicycle accident.
“Overall the crew was in really good shape and felt really comfortable with this change,” said Mike Moses, chairman of the Mission Management Team.
Discovery is poised on Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The countdown is to begin Monday at 3 p.m.
“We’re in outstanding shape out at the pad,” said Mike Leinbach, shuttle launch director.
