NASA’s Space Shuttle Discovery completed one milestone and is nearing another as workers prepare the orbiter for a December launch to the International Space Station.
On Tuesday night, drivers moved Discovery from the shuttle processing facility to the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Discovery, perched on top of the giant, 76-wheel orbiter transporter system, began moving out of the facility at 9:23 p.m. EST.
In the assembly building, technicians attached Discovery to its propulsion elements, an external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters. Following those operations, final integration, preparations and closeouts began in preparation for flight.
Discovery’s next milestone is the 4.2-mile trip to Launch Pad 39B in preparation for its mission, designated STS-116. During the 11-day mission, the shuttle’s seven astronauts will rewire the station to bring online new power supplies generated by solar arrays installed in September.
News media are invited to attend the rollout of Discovery to the launch pad scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 7. First motion of the vehicle out of the building is targeted for 7 a.m. EST.
The Kennedy Press Site will open for media activities Tuesday at 6 a.m. Permanently badged media interested in attending this event are asked to contact the press site at 321- 867-2468 by 4 p.m. EST, Monday, Nov. 6.
Since dates and times of this event are subject to change, updates are available at 321-867-2525. Media without Kennedy credentials should submit requests via the accreditation Web site at:
NASA TV will provide live coverage of Discovery’s move to the launch pad beginning Tuesday at 7 a.m. EST. For NASA TV downlink, streaming video and scheduling information, visit:
For more information on the STS-116 mission and crew, visit:
