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