Cold Weather Postpones Tanking Test

An instrumented test of space shuttle Discovery’s external fuel tank now will be conducted no earlier than Friday, Dec. 17, because wind and cold conditions at NASA's Kennedy Space Center prevented technicians from completing preparations for the test.

The forecast for the next several days calls for continuing cold conditions at Launch Pad 39A at the Florida spaceport. Technicians worked through the weekend to place dozens of sensors on the tank's ribbed intertank region so engineers can analyze temperature and tank movement as the tank is filled with cryogenic propellants. All the strain gauges have been attached in the intertank region near the top of the external tank where the stringers are located. Once the remaining temperature sensors are in place and foam insulation has been reapplied, the tank will be filled with about 535,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen to help verify repairs associated with cracks on the tops of two 21-foot-long, U-shaped aluminum brackets, called stringers, on the external tank and help engineers determine what caused the cracks in the first place.

Discovery’s STS-133 mission to the International Space Station. Discovery’s next launch opportunity is no earlier than Feb. 3 at 1:34 a.m. EST.