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

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.

European Space Agency officials notified Mission Control in Houston that they will target today for the next launch attempt of their Automated Transfer Vehicle-2, or ATV-2, “Johannes Kepler” from Kourou, French Guiana. The first launch attempt was scrubbed yesterday. NASA Television coverage will begin at 4:30 p.m. EST for a liftoff at 4:50:55 p.m.

While there is the potential for an ATV launch slip to affect next week’s targeted launch date of Discovery, yesterday’s scrub does not automatically impact the STS-133 mission. If ATV-2 launches today, then Discovery’s target date would move to Feb. 25. However, a longer ATV slip beyond Friday would result in STS-133 remaining on track for its targeted launch on Feb. 24 at 4:50 p.m. EST.

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