STS-131 enjoys smooth SSP FRR – Discovery into hypergolic loading

As expected, STS-131 has passed its latest milestone, with the approval to push forward to the Agency level Flight Readiness Review on March 26 – following the conclusion of the SSP (Space Shuttle Program) FRR this week. No issues of note are being worked on Discovery out at Pad 39A, as engineers work through hypergolic loading on the stack.
STS-131 Processing Latest:
Hypergolic loading into various systems – such as the Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) and Reaction Control Systems (RCS) – is a key moment in the pad flow, involving strict safety measures, due to the extremely hazardous nature of the chemicals.
Engineers at the pad don SCAPE (Self-Contained Atmospheric Protection Ensemble) suits to protect themselves from the deadly hydrazine, which when mixed with oxidizer in the RCS thrusters, causes a reaction that allows the orbiter to maneuver on orbit.
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“OV-103 / ET-135 / SRB BI-142 / RSRM 110 (Pad A): Blank off plate removals were completed. GUCP (Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate) QD (Quick Disconnect) – on the External Tank leak – checks were completed,” noted the NASA Test Director (NTD) on L2-acquired processing information, which noted an issue ...