Rarely Seen Shuttle Pre-Flight Activities

"QUANTUM SHOT" #148 Shuttle "Discovery": Pre-Flight Activities, Rarely Seen by the General Public Technology moves on, and these photos may soon follow the way of our other post: "Rare Photos of the Russian Buran Space Program". Can we say, it was good while it lasted? However, these pictures deserve a wide viewing audience: the amount of thought and engineering that goes into every launch is immense; each successful take-off represents the Mankind's finest effort, and is a wonder to behold. (Thanks to Tim for sending this in; images courtesy Christie L. Dyett - NASA Space Coast Launch Services.) External tank arrives by barge from Louisiana: External tank approaches Vertical Assembly Building (VAB): Removing external tank: Preparing to lift the tank to vertical: Lifting the tank: Solid rockets are attached: Orbiter: External tank with Solid Rocket Boosters (SRB): Engines are attached to the shuttle in the Orbiter Processing Facility: Shuttle in sling ready for lift in VAB: Shuttle has been moved to VAB and will be attached to external tank: Shuttle is attached: Payload Preparation in Space Station Processing Facility: Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM): Payload carrier leaves Canister Rotation Facility: Payload being moved to Launch Pad: Lifting payload into position for insertion into "Discovery" when it arrives at the pad: Shuttle "Discovery" leaves VAB: Trip to launch: Length - 3 1/2 mi Time - 6-8 hours Arrow indicates the Launch Pad. Crawler Control: "Discovery" arrives at Pad: (image credit: NASA / Ken Thornsley) Ready for Launch: (image credit: NASA / Scott Andrews) We Have Lift Off ! (image credit: NASA - click to enlarge) Images courtesy Christie L. Dyett and Amanda Diller - NASA Space Coast Launch Services Also Read "Rare Photos of the Russian Buran Space Program"! Permanent Link... Category: Technology,Space Related Posts: Shuttle Crawler: Moving Experience, part 2