The document summarizes the processing steps for the space shuttle Discovery before its launch, including the external tank being delivered by barge and assembled vertically, solid rocket boosters and engines being attached, the shuttle being attached to the external tank, a payload being prepared and moved to the launch pad, and finally the shuttle arriving at the launch pad ready for launch.

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

2. External Tank Arrives by Barge from MS

4. External Tank
Vertical Assembly Building

5. Removing
External Tank
From Carrier

7. External Tank Enters VAB

8. External Tank in VAB

9. Preparing to Lift the Tank to Vertical

10. Lifting Tank

11. Solid Rockets
Are Attached

12. Engines Are
Attached To
Solids

13. Engines Are Attached To The Shuttle In The Shuttle Processing Facility

17. Shuttle In Sling Ready For Lift In VAB

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

20. Shuttle is Attached

24. Payload
Preparation Room
(PPR)

25. Cargo Package For ISS

26. New Module For ISS

27. Payload Ready To
Be Moved to The
Launch Pad

29. Payload Carrier
Leaves PPR

31. Payload Being Moved To Launch Pad

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

36. Shuttle Discovery Leaves VAB

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

40. Crawler Control

42. DISCOVERY
ARRIVES
AT PAD

46. READY FOR
LAUNCH

47. We Have Lift Off