STS-128 Shuttle Update
September 17, 2009 13:23:5
Discovery's Preps Ahead of Schedule
By Robert Gass

Orbiter: OV-103 (Discovery)

Mission: STS-128
Launch Date: August 28, 2009
Launch Time (Preferred):~ 11:59:32 am EDT
Crew: Commander Rick “CJ” Sturckow, Pilot Kevin Ford, Mission Specialists Jose Hernandez, John “Danny” Olivas, Christer Fuglesang, Patrick Forrester, and Space Station Flight Engineer Nicole Stott Payload: ISS-17A Launch Package (MPLM, LMC)
External Tank: ET-132
Booster Set: BI-139/RSRM-107
Launch Platform: MLP-2
Launch Pad: Pad 39A

Landed: Friday, Sept. 11, 2009, 08:53 p.m. EDT
Landing Site:  Edwards Air Force Base, California
Mission Elapsed Time:  13 days, 20 hours, 53 minutes, 45 seconds
Official Landing Times 
Main gear touchdown: 8:53:25 p.m. EDT
Nose gear touchdown: 8:53:34 p.m. EDT
Wheels stop: 8:54:35 p.m. EDT
Total miles: more than 5.7 million

STATUS SUMMERY

Preparation of space shuttle Discovery for its ferry flight back to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida is running ahead of schedule at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center in California. Managers expect that Discovery will be ready to begin its cross-country ferry flight atop a modified Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft by Friday morning.

The all-day process of draining of residual fuels, oxidizers and other hazardous chemicals from Discovery's Orbital Maneuvering System, a process that requires all technicians working near or on the shuttle to wear protective suits and respiratory equipment, was completed Tuesday afternoon. Installation of the aerodynamic tail cone could occur as early as late Wednesday. Mating of Discovery to the modified 747 could begin as early as Thursday morning.

The final schedule for Discovery's departure from Edwards will be determined at a Flight Readiness Review, currently slated for Thursday afternoon. If departure occurs Friday morning, the 747-shuttle combo could arrive at Kennedy as early as late Saturday, weather and other factors permitting.

Space Shuttle Updates are compiled by Interspace News from various sources and posted on a weekly basis unless operational circumstances dictate otherwise. Previous reports are available by selecting Manned from the left side menu bar and then Clicking Mission Update Archive. If You have any questions, comments, or additions and corrections we would love to hear from you. Please e-mail the author at: Robert@Interspacenews.com

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