Workers Prep Discovery for Hypergolics

Workers at Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida have extended a series of metal shutters around space shuttle Discovery's critical areas to provide weather protection for the orbiter. They are preparing to service the shuttle's hypergolic system next week. The hypergolic system handles propellants that instantly burn when they come in contact with each other. The chemicals, which have to be handled very carefully, are used in the shuttle's steering thrusters in space.

At NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, the STS-133 crew will review orbiter systems and conduct robotic training today.‪