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Mission: STS-131
Orbiter: Discovery
Launch Pad: 39A
Launch Date: NET April 5, 2010, 06:21 EDT (10:21 UT)
Landing: April 20, 2010, Kennedy Space Center
Main gear touchdown: 09:08:35 EDT
Nose gear touchdown: 09:08:47 EDT
Wheels stop: 09:09:33 EDT
Orbital Altitude: 122 nautical miles (140 miles)
Orbital Insertion: 191 nautical miles (220 miles)
Orbital Inclination: 51.6 degrees
Crew:- Commander: Alan Poindexter; Pilot: James Dutton; Mission Specialists:- MS1 Richard Mastracchio, MS2 Dorothy M. Metcalf-Lindenburger, MS3 Clayton Anderson, MS4 Stephanie Wilson, MS5 Naoko Yamazaki (JAXA).
Primary Payload: Multi-Purpose Logistics Module: Leonardo.
Cape Canaveral weather forecast
After rollback of the rotating service structure, or RSS, on Launch Pad 39A, space shuttle Discovery is one step closer to launch on its STS-131 mission. Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 10:30:26 GMT
Main engine cutoff and tank separation! After a remarkably smooth countdown and spectacular nighttime liftoff — the 35th of the Space Shuttle Program — Discovery and the seven STS-131 astronauts have reached orbit. The external tank has been jettisoned; it will fall back toward Earth and burn up on re-entry.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 10:28:39 GMT
CAPCOM Rick Sturckow just called for the Discovery crew to “press to MECO,” meaning the shuttle could reach its planned orbit now even if one engine stopped functioning. Discovery has returned to a heads-up orientation, allowing for better communications through the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite system.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 10:26:59 GMT
Discovery could reach a lower-than-planned orbit without one engine. All three engines are performing well, as are all three auxiliary power units and fuel cells.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 10:26:00 GMT
Space shuttle Discovery is too far downrange and flying too fast to return to Kennedy Space Center if an engine failure threatened the flight.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 10:25:32 GMT
Discovery’s two solid rocket boosters burned out and separated from space shuttle Discovery right on time moments ago. The boosters are clear of the vehicle and tumbling down toward impact in the Atlantic Ocean, where they’ll be picked up by the booster retrieval ships. The two orbital maneuvering system engines are assisting Discovery’s three main engines as the vehicle continues its climb.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 10:25:13 GMT
Discovery rocked Florida’s Space Coast, rattling windows, shaking the ground and setting off car alarms nearby. All three main engines, fuel cells and auxiliary power units are performing well as it passes 48 miles in altitude, traveling 4,500 miles per hour.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 10:22:58 GMT
“Go at throttle up,” is Sturckow’s latest call to the Discovery crew as the shuttle’s three main engines increase to 104 percent of rated thrust. Discovery is approaching “max Q,” the area of maximum aerodynamic pressure.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 10:21:35 GMT
Ignition and liftoff! Space shuttle Discovery is rising into the predawn sky above NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, beginning its pursuit of the International Space Station. Discovery has cleared the tower and the Mission Control Center in Houston has assumed control of the flight. Astronaut Rick Sturckow, serving as the spacecraft communicator, or CAPCOM, will maintain verbal contact between mission control and Commander Alan Poindexter aboard Discovery during ascent.
As the shuttle rockets to the northeast, it will make an early morning wakeup call to residents of Florida’s Space Coast as well as much of America’s east coast as it climbs and accelerates to 17,500 mph in just eight and a half minutes. Discovery is performing a roll maneuver, pointing it precisely on the trajectory of 51.6 degrees to catch up to the International Space Station.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 10:20:30 GMT
We’re now only one minute away from the launch of space shuttle Discovery from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Across the space center and surrounding communities, employees, residents and space fans are watching and waiting for ignition.
At T-31 seconds, the ground launch sequencer will give the ‘go’ to begin the auto-sequence of final, critical steps leading to liftoff. Sixteen seconds before ignition, a flood of water will be released across the surface of the mobile launcher platform and down into the flame trench below. The water sound suppression system helps absorb the powerful sound waves created at liftoff.
At T-10 seconds, the free hydrogen burnoff system igniters will fire, creating a shower of sparks beneath Discovery’s three main engines.
The main engines ignite at T-6 seconds and the shuttle strains against its hold-down posts until the solid rocket boosters ignite at T-0, releasing Discovery and the crew to begin their journey.
Stand by for liftoff confirmation.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 10:19:37 GMT
The STS-131 astronauts have been instructed to close and lock their visors and start their oxygen flow. Stable replenish has ended and the external tank’s propellant tanks have reached flight pressure. Cameras on the solid rocket boosters are activated.
The gaseous oxygen vent arm is moving away from the top of the external tank.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 10:18:09 GMT
Discovery’s rudder and wing flaps are moving through their range of motion to confirm these steering surfaces, called aerosurfaces, are ready to move as required. This check is followed immediately by a main-engine gimbal test, in which the shuttle’s three main engines move back and forth to verify they are ready to steer the vehicle as it climbs toward orbit.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 10:16:39 GMT
T-minus five minutes and counting. Up inside Discovery’s cockpit, Dutton is flipping switches to start the shuttle’s trio of auxiliary power units. These hydrazine-fueled generators are located in Discovery’s aft end and power the hydraulic systems, which in turn operate the shuttle’s main-engine motion and steering surfaces.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 10:15:35 GMT
Orbiter Test Conductor Laurie Sally has instructed Pilot James P. Dutton Jr. to configure Discovery’s three auxiliary power units for their start-up in about one minute.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 10:14:06 GMT
The only access to Discovery’s crew access hatch is pulling away. Although the orbiter access arm is retracted before liftoff, it can be returned to Discovery’s side in seconds if necessary.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 10:12:31 GMT
Discovery and its crew of seven astronauts are nine minutes from launch! There are no planned holds left in the countdown this morning.
The ground launch sequencer, or GLS, is in charge of the countdown from now until liftoff. This computer program controls all major milestones, sends hundreds of commands to the shuttle and ground equipment, monitors all critical functions and has the power to stop the countdown if anything appears amiss.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 10:10:59 GMT
NASA Test Director Steve Payne just polled his team of launch controllers, and all report they are “go” for liftoff and ready to resume the countdown on time. Payne informed Launch Director Pete Nickolenko the team is ready to proceed. Nickolenko, in turn, conducted one last round of polls with upper-level launch managers and gave Payne the go-ahead to continue the countdown.
“It’s time for you to rise to orbit,” Nickolenko told the astronauts. “Good luck and Godspeed.”
“Let’s do it,” Poindexter replied, thanking those who’ve worked to make the mission possible.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 10:07:17 GMT
The International Space Station, shining brightly in the early morning sky, is passing overhead of Kennedy Space Center, where Discovery stands poised to begin its chase in 14 minutes.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 10:00:09 GMT
NASA’s two solid rocket booster retrieval ships, Liberty Star and Freedom Star, are out in the Atlantic Ocean downrange of the launch site. Two minutes into flight, Discovery’s two solid rocket boosters will burn out and separate from the rest of the vehicle, falling into the sea below. At that point, each ship will close in on one booster’s impact point. The parachutes and spent booster casings are retrieved and returned to Kennedy after launch.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 09:57:53 GMT
The range safety officer just informed NASA Test Director Steve Payne that the system is partially operational and that constraint has been cleared. The Eastern Range is “go.”
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 09:55:38 GMT
The Eastern Range is reporting “no-go” due to a failed command message encoder verifier. No word yet on whether this will be an impact to today’s scheduled launch. We’ll provide more information as it becomes available. There are no other technical issues in work and weather remains “go.”
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 09:45:46 GMT
Earlier in the countdown, just prior to the fueling process Sunday night, a transient voltage spike was detected in the Fuel Cell 2 pump motor. The fuel cells have been performing as expected ever since. Launch managers discussed the event throughout the night and ultimately cleared the issue for today’s launch. It will not be a constraint to liftoff today and will be investigated prior to Discovery’s next mission, STS-133.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 09:42:57 GMT
In the skies above Kennedy Space Center, astronaut Chris Ferguson continues to fly the Shuttle Training Aircraft to keep an eye on the weather. His real-time observations are an asset to weather forecasters, who rely on his reports in addition to ground-based observations and those gathered from satellite and radar imagery. Although some patchy fog has been spotted around the Shuttle Landing Facility, it has not had any impact on visibility, and weather remains “green” across the board. Skies are clear above the landing facility’s runway.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 09:27:06 GMT
We’ve entered the final built-in hold of today’s launch countdown. This 45-minute hold is set to release at 6:12 a.m.
The length of the T-9 minute hold is typically adjusted slightly to target a precise launch time. International Space Station missions have a relatively short launch window because the shuttle is pursuing the orbiting station. The team is aiming for liftoff at 6:21 a.m.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 09:26:46 GMT
The Closeout Crew has reached the roadblock. There are no nonessential personnel left inside the “launch danger area,” and the Kennedy area has been declared clear for launch.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 09:21:30 GMT
We’re now one hour away from the scheduled liftoff of space shuttle Discovery at 6:21 a.m. Weather is “go” and is expected to remain favorable through the remainder of the countdown. No technical issues are being discussed, and all is quiet in the Launch Control Center.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 09:16:06 GMT
The countdown has resumed. The final built-in hold will begin at the T-9 minute mark. Discovery’s primary and backup avionics software systems are being switched into “OPS 1,” or launch mode. Of the shuttle’s five general purpose computers, four run the primary avionics software and the fifth runs the backup flight system.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 09:10:55 GMT
The Closeout Crew has finished in the White Room and is departing the launch pad, retreating to a roadblock a safe distance away. The team will be available to return quickly to the pad if needed.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 09:06:11 GMT
Countdown clocks at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center are holding at T-20 minutes. The hold will release at 5:16 a.m.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 08:56:33 GMT
At T-30 minutes and counting, the Closeout Crew continues its work in the White Room outside Discovery’s crew access hatch. The cabin will be vented and the vent valves closed, and the White Room will be configured for launch before the team departs.
The ground launch sequencer main line computer program has been activated and is processing data. It will continue monitoring key commands and systems until it assumes control of the countdown at T-9 minutes and counting.
Our next built-in hold is coming up at T-20 minutes.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 08:34:35 GMT
Astronaut Chris Ferguson is piloting the Shuttle Training Aircraft, a modified Gulfstream jet that mimics the flying characteristics of a landing shuttle orbiter. From now until after liftoff, Ferguson will patrol the skies throughout the launch area, monitoring weather conditions and reporting his observations to launch management. At the moment, weather is “go,” with a slight concern for development of fog or a cloud ceiling that could interfere with an emergency shuttle landing, if one were needed. Forecasters continue to predict an 80 percent chance of good weather for launch.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 08:26:33 GMT
At T-1 hour and counting, all astronauts are seated in Discovery, the hatch is closed and leak checks are under way. Launch is scheduled for 6:21 a.m.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 08:21:57 GMT
In the White Room, the Closeout Crew is closing Discovery’s side hatch. Before the hatch could be moved into position, the inner and outer seals were cleaned to ensure a solid overlap. The seals also will be pressurized, further strengthening the seal. Soon the cabin and hatch seal will be tested to verify there are no leaks.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 08:10:40 GMT
At the time of liftoff, the International Space Station will be about 220 miles over the Atlantic Ocean, southwest of Ireland. But about 17 minutes before launch, at 6:04 a.m., the space station will pass over the Kennedy Space Center, providing an excellent sighting opportunity as it moves from the south-southwest to the east. It should be visible for about three minutes, peaking at a 43 degree elevation.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 07:55:09 GMT
At T-1 hour, 30 minutes and counting, all seven astronauts are safely strapped into their seats and ready to fly, and the Closeout Crew is ready to finish up work in Discovery’s crew module. Before closing the hatch, the flight deck and middeck are inspected to make sure “non-flight” items, such as standing platforms, switch guards and protective covers, are all removed from the shuttle.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 07:49:26 GMT
The weather is back to “go” status now that the cloud deck above the Shuttle Landing Facility has scattered. The last to board Discovery was Mission Specialist Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, also a first-time space flier. She’s climbing into Seat 4, located in the back row of the flight deck between Poindexter and Dutton. Before her selection as a NASA astronaut in 2004, Metcalf-Lindenburger was a high-school Earth science and astronomy teacher and athletic coach.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 07:34:10 GMT
STS-131 is the first spaceflight for Mission Specialist Naoko Yamazaki, who waved excitedly and held up a sign for her loved ones. Representing the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Yamazaki was selected as an astronaut in 1999. She’ll be strapped into Seat 6 in the center of the middeck.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 07:31:32 GMT
The next astronaut to crawl through Discovery’s crew hatch is Mission Specialist Rick Mastracchio. He’ll ride into space in Seat 3, located in the right back row of the flight deck behind Dutton. He and Anderson will be the spacewalkers on this flight, and they’ll swap seats for the trip home, with Anderson strapped into his seat on the flight deck and Mastracchio riding back to Earth in Seat 7, down in the middeck. STS-131 is Mastracchio’s third shuttle flight.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 07:26:40 GMT
Everything continues to go smoothly this morning at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, where space shuttle Discovery is poised for liftoff on its STS-131 mission. Launch is scheduled for 6:21 a.m. The astronauts are in the process of boarding the shuttle and strapping into their seats.
The countdown clock is at T-2 hours and counting.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 07:16:37 GMT
Launch Weather Officer Kathy Winters just informed Launch Director Pete Nickolenko that cloud cover above the Shuttle Landing Facility is too low and thick, violating launch constraints. Conditions in Central Florida can change very quickly, so although weather is “red” for now, it may go “green” again during the course of the countdown.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 07:11:12 GMT
Mission Specialist Stephanie Wilson is preparing to climb into Seat 5 on the middeck. A Harvard graduate, Wilson previously served as a mission specialist on missions STS-121 and STS-120, both aboard shuttle Discovery. She held up a sign thanking her parents and family, and gave a cheerful wave to the camera.
As they get seated, the astronauts begin two-way checks of all their communications channels. During these tests, the crew members will talk with Orbiter Test Conductor Laurie Sally in the Launch Control Center and Flight Director Bryan Lunney in mission control.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 07:06:03 GMT
Next into the crew module is Mission Specialist Clayton Anderson, participating in his second shuttle launch. In 2007, Anderson flew aboard shuttle Atlantis with the STS-117 crew to begin a five-month tour of duty aboard the International Space Station, serving as the Expedition 15/16 flight engineer and science officer. He gave a quick salute to the Closeout Crew before crawling through the hatch. For liftoff, Anderson will sit in Seat 7, on the far-right side of Discovery’s middeck.
Pilot James P. Dutton Jr. will strap into Seat 2 on the front-right side of the flight deck, beside Poindexter. The U.S. Air Force colonel has logged at least 3,300 flight hours in more than 30 different aircraft. Selected as a NASA astronaut in 2004, Dutton is about to launch on his first spaceflight.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 07:02:43 GMT
Commander Alan Poindexter is the first to climb aboard Discovery. A U.S. Navy captain, Poindexter piloted space shuttle Atlantis on its STS-122 mission back in 2008. As he entered the White Room, he held up a hand-lettered sign for the camera, sending his love to his family. The commander’s seat is Seat 1 on the front-left side of the flight deck.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 06:53:19 GMT
After pausing for a few moments to take pictures at the base of space shuttle Discovery, it’s time for the crew to begin boarding. Up at the pad’s 195-foot level, the Closeout Crew is ready to begin helping the astronauts put on their communications caps, parachute packs and other gear. Thanks to a launch dress rehearsal a few weeks ago, this routine is familiar to everyone. Called the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, the rehearsal is a standard part of prelaunch training and gives first-time fliers a chance to practice these procedures, provides a refresher course for veteran astronauts and gives the entire team the opportunity to work together before launch day.
Since the White Room gets crowded with Closeout Crew members and equipment, there is only room inside for one or two astronauts at a time. Once they’re on board, they’ll spend the rest of the countdown lying on their backs. Astronauts will begin checking their voice communications systems after strapping in.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 06:48:39 GMT
Riding in the Astrovan, the astronauts are seeing shuttle Discovery lit up on the pad for the first time. The view of the pad emerges from beyond the tree line, looming larger in the windshield as the van approaches.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 06:44:11 GMT
At this point, the only people riding in the silver Astrovan are the STS-131 crew and a technician who will serve as part of the Closeout Crew, helping with final suit-up and boarding. They’ll arrive at the launch pad in the next few minutes. The van will pass through the gate at the pad perimeter and drive up the concrete hardstand, letting the riders off near the pad elevator.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 06:39:47 GMT
The Astrovan makes two stops during the drive out to Launch Pad 39A. First, astronaut Chris Ferguson will step out of the van and into a waiting car for a ride to the Shuttle Landing Facility, where he’ll pilot weather-observing flights later this morning. Minutes later, the Astrovan will pause again at the driveway to the Launch Control Center, dropping off Director of Flight Crew Operations Brent Jett and Chief Astronaut Peggy Whitson.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 06:32:56 GMT
The STS-131 astronauts stepped out of the Operations and Checkout Building, waved to the gathered crowd of friends, space workers and news media and climbed into the Astrovan, which is actually a vintage Airstream mobile home. Shouts, cheers and a bright flurry of camera flashes greeted the crew members as they made their way to their ride. Under heavy security, the van is on its way to Launch Pad 39A. The astronauts have the option of plugging into cooling units if they begin to feel too warm in their suits.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 06:26:11 GMT
At T-3 hours and counting, the countdown is moving once again. The astronauts will depart their quarters in the Operations and Checkout Building in about five minutes.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 06:12:51 GMT
The countdown is set to resume at 2:26 a.m. with the release of the T-3 hour built-in hold. Prelaunch activities continue to go smoothly this morning as we continue toward liftoff of space shuttle Discovery at 6:21 a.m.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 06:02:17 GMT
With a meal, a photo opportunity and medical checks out of the way, Discovery’s astronauts are beginning to climb into their bright-orange launch-and-entry suits. Known as the Advanced Crew Escape Suit, or ACES, the outfit provides a cocoon of air and storage for a multitude of survival tools.
Suiting up can take the better part of an hour. Although crew members have suit technicians and others to assist them as they put on these heavy suits for launch, they’ll have to rely on their own experience and the help of their crewmates when it’s time to get dressed for landing.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 06:00:36 GMT
A high pressure system has resulted in pleasant conditions overnight at Kennedy Space Center. Skies are partly cloudy and there’s a light wind from the east. Weather forecasters are somewhat concerned about the possibility of fog developing due to the stable conditions and temperatures close to the dewpoint. The wind may help keep fog development at bay.
Weather officials for today’s countdown include Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters of the 45th Weather Squadron, forecasters with the National Weather Service’s Spaceflight Meteorology Group based in Houston, and astronaut John Casper serving as the weather coordinator in Kennedy’s Firing Room 4. Additionally, astronaut George Zamka is the weather interface in the Mission Control Center.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 05:38:58 GMT
Commander Alan Poindexter leads a crew of seven astronauts on STS-131, the 33rd shuttle flight to the International Space Station and the 131st flight of the Space Shuttle Program. Discovery is taking a multi-purpose logistics module brimming with science racks for transfer into the station’s laboratories. The flight also will feature three spacewalks to perform maintenance work and retrieve a Japanese science experiment mounted outside the station.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 05:29:28 GMT
The STS-131 launch countdown began at 3 a.m. April 2, when special clocks at Kennedy Space Center blinked to life at T-43 hours and counting. After two more days of final preparations to shuttle Discovery and Launch Pad 39A, the rotating service structure protecting the vehicle was rolled away. At this point, Discovery’s external tank is filled with propellants, weather looks promising, and the astronauts are awake and preparing to leave for the launch pad in a little more than an hour.
Inside Discovery’s crew module, astronaut Chris Cassidy is serving as the prime astronaut support person, setting up for crew boarding and checking the communications systems. Cassidy served as a mission specialist on space shuttle Endeavour’s STS-127 flight in 2009.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 05:21:49 GMT
Discovery’s orange external fuel tank has been loaded with half a million gallons of chilled liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. Tanking operations began at 9:28 p.m. and concluded about three hours later. Fueling was delayed by about half an hour while the launch team investigated a voltage spike in a fuel cell pump motor, but the tanking process went very well and wrapped up at 12:21 a.m. Because small amounts of both propellants will continue to warm up and evaporate throughout the countdown, valves at the pad will cycle on and off, replacing the lost propellant through “stable replenish.” No further voltage spikes have been observed.
With tanking complete, two specialized teams are performing critical tasks out at the launch pad. The Final Inspection Team, often called the “Ice Team,” is getting an up-close look at Discovery and the pad structures. Any ice development will be monitored, characterized and reported to launch management before the team departs the launch pad. At the same time, the Closeout Crew is working inside the environmentally controlled White Room and in the shuttle’s crew module, preparing for the astronauts’ arrival and boarding at about 3 a.m.
Mon, 05 Apr 2010 05:15:13 GMT
Space Shuttle Discovery and the STS-131 astronauts are preparing for liftoff at 6:21 a.m. EDT. The countdown clock is at T-3 hours and holding. This built-in hold is set to end at 2:26 a.m.
Discovery stands atop its mobile launcher platform at Launch Pad 39A, easily visible in the early morning darkness because of million-candlepower xenon lights trained on the vehicle from the pad perimeter. Forecasters predict an 80 percent chance of conditions favorable to launch. Shuttle Weather Officer Kathy Winters is expected to give a weather update in the next few minutes.
Launch Director Pete Nickolenko and the team of launch controllers are monitoring the countdown from Firing Room 4 in the Launch Control Center about three miles west of the launch pad. Across the space center, in their crew quarters, Discovery’s seven astronauts are awake and will begin suiting up shortly.
– courtesy of NASA
- 04/19/10: Space Shuttle Discovery lands at Kennedy Space Center.
STS-131 Commander Alan G. Poindexter guided Discovery to an 8:08 a.m. CDT landing at the Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida. Weather had caused postponement of the first day’s landing attempts, and a rain shower within 30 miles of the runway brought a wave-off of the first of today’s opportunities. Showers moved off to permit landing on the second. - NASA - 04/19/10: STS-131 crew spends an extra day in orbit.
Space shuttle Discovery’s crew is prepared to return home Tuesday, as mission managers closely monitor weather that could affect their entry and landing at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. - NASA - 04/19/10: Space Shuttle Discovery: today's landing waived off.
Space shuttle Discovery will spend another day in orbit after two landing opportunities at Kennedy Space Center in Florida were foiled by clouds and rain in the area. Forecasts call for Florida conditions to improve Tuesday and for generally good weather in California. - NASA - 04/18/10: STS-131 crew prepares for landing.
The astronauts onboard space shuttle Discovery are getting ready to conclude their successful mission to the International Space Station, weather permitting, with a planned landing at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida Monday at 7:48 a.m. CDT. - NASA - 04/18/10: Crew powers up Discovery’s flight control system; tests flaps and rudder.
This morning, Poindexter, Dutton and Metcalf-Lindenburger powered up Discovery’s flight control system and tested the flaps and rudder that will control the shuttle’s flight once it enters the Earth’s atmosphere. Next they test-fired the reaction control system jets that will control the shuttle’s orientation before it reaches the atmosphere. All seven crew members stowed items in Discovery’s cabin in preparation for re-entry and landing. - NASA
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