SHUTTLE

PROCESSING
(Before Flight Activities Rarely
Seen By The General
DISCOVER
Public) ---
DISCOVERY
External Tank Arrives by Barge from MS
 External Tank

Vertical Assembly Building

 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

TRIP:
Length--- 3 ½ mi
Time--- 6-8 hours
Launch Pad
Crawler Control
DISCOVERY
ARRIVES
AT PAD
READY FOR
LAUNCH
We Have Lift Off