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SHUTTLE PROCESSINGSHUTTLE PROCESSINGSHUTTLE PROCESSINGSHUTTLE PROCESSING
(Before Flight Activities Rarely Seen (Before Flight Activities Rarely Seen (Before Flight Activities Rarely Seen (Before Flight Activities Rarely Seen By The General Public)By The General Public)By The General Public)By The General Public)By The General Public)By The General Public)By The General Public)By The General Public)
DISCOVER DISCOVER DISCOVER DISCOVER ------------DISCOVERYDISCOVERYDISCOVERYDISCOVERY
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External Tank Arrives by Barge from MS
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Vertical Assembly Building
External Tank
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Removing
External Tank
From Carrier
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External Tank Enters VAB
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External Tank in VAB
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Preparing to Lift the Tank to Vertical
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Solid Rockets
Are Attached
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Engines Are
Attached To
Solids
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Engines Are Attached To The Shuttle In The Shuttle Processing Facility
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Shuttle In Sling Ready For Lift In VAB
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Shuttle Has Been
Moved To VAB And
And Will Be Attached
To External Tank
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Shuttle is Attached
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Payload
Preparation Room
(PPR)
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Cargo Package For ISS
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New Module For ISSNew Module For ISS
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Payload Ready To
Be Moved to The
Launch Pad
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Payload Carrier
Leaves PPR
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Payload Being Moved To Launch Pad
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Lifting Payload
Into Position For
Insertion Into
Discovery When
It Arrives At The
Pad
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Shuttle Discovery Leaves VAB
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Shuttle & Crawler
TRIP:
Length--- 3 ½ mi
Time--- 6-8 hours
Launch Pad
Time--- 6-8 hours
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DISCOVERY
ARRIVES
AT PAD