14 DAY TRIAL // Early this morning, the American space agency NASA rolled out its space shuttle Discovery from its hangar to the launch pad, in a maneuver that took some 6 hours to complete. Though this was supposed to take place a number of days ago, it didn't happen because the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) was battered by a wave of cold weather that prevented the shuttle from being moved. The new maneuvers took place without a hitch, and the spacecraft is now safely attached to the Launch Pad 39A facility at the spaceport, the only one in the country still capable of launching shuttles in the current configuration, Space reports.
Currently, the scheduled launch date for Discovery's STS-131 mission is April 5, but this may change depending on external factors. The seven astronauts that will fly on the spacecraft have already arrived at the KSC, to begin dress rehearsals for launch, as well as a host of other tests, preparations and trainings. Their mission will mark the last shuttle flight with a seven-member crew, as well as the last instance in which rookie astronauts will be taken to orbit. From the time Discovery returns, all three remaining missions will be flown by experienced astronauts.
Discovery is scheduled to begin its penultimate flight at 6:21 am EDT (1021 GMT) April 5. It is headed for the International Space Station (ISS), where it will deliver new supplies and equipment, as well as the last Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM), Leonardo. Three extra-vehicular activities (EVA) will be performed during this mission, in which astronauts will use the Station's robotic arm (SSRMS) to maneuver a new ammonia tank assembly (ATA) into its position on the ISS. At the same time, they will collect the old tank, and place it into their shuttle's cargo bay, for a safe trip back home.
“It's a great time to be in Florida. We've been training really hard and are just so proud of the folks down here getting [Discovery ready] for flight,” said upon arrival at KSC Alan Poindexter, the NASA astronaut that will be acting as Commander for the STS-131 flight. The mission is the third ever to carry three female astronauts, mission specialists Dorothy M. Metcalf-Lindenburger, Stephanie Wilson, and Naoko Yamazaki, of the Japanese space agency JAXA. The rest of the crew is made up of mission specialists Clayton Anderson and Richard Mastracchio, alongside Discovery's pilot, James Dutton.