Payload to Pad Saturday, Hose Option Decided

Cold weather at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida is still an issue as technicians continue prelaunch propellant loading on space shuttle Endeavour at Launch Pad 39A.

NASA managers weighed all options and have decided to continue working toward a Feb. 7 launch with full mission content. A decision was made to select an alternate hose design, assembled from shorter hoses that were previously certified and tested, for use aboard the station as the primary jumper.

Also, managers decided on the accelerated development of a redesigned set of hoses, based on the design that failed, for use in the event a problem arises with the new primary design. Discussions were discontinued related to partial activation of the Tranquility module‪.

Today at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Endeavour's crew will participate in an integrated ascent simulation in the motion base simulator, as well as review techniques to repair the thermal protection system.

The Italian-built Tranquility node and the cupola, which is attached to one end of the node, the primary payload for the STS-130 mission, now is scheduled to be transported to the pad at 4 a.m. EST Saturday morning.

FONTE:Nasa