SHUTTLE PROCESSING (Before Flight Activities Rarely Seen By The General Public) DISCOVER --- DISCOVERY

External Tank Arrives by Barge from MS

Vertical Assembly Building External Tank

Removing External Tank From Carrier

External Tank Enters VAB

External Tank in VAB

Preparing to Lift the Tank to Vertical

Lifting Tank

Solid Rockets Are Attached

Engines Are Attached To Solids

Engines Are Attached To The Shuttle In The Shuttle Processing Facility

Shuttle In Sling Ready For Lift In VAB

Shuttle Has Been Moved To VAB And And Will Be Attached To External Tank

Shuttle is Attached

Payload Preparation Room (PPR)

Cargo Package For ISS

New Module For ISS

Payload Ready To Be Moved to The Launch Pad

Payload Carrier Leaves PPR

Payload Being Moved To Launch Pad

Lifting Payload Into Position For Insertion Into Discovery When It Arrives At The Pad

Shuttle Discovery Leaves VAB

Shuttle & Crawler Launch Pad TRIP: Length--- 3 ½ mi Time--- 6-8 hours

Crawler Control

DISCOVERY ARRIVES AT PAD

READY FOR LAUNCH

We Have Lift Off