In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building, the overhead lifting sling hoists space shuttle Discovery off the transporter. Discovery will be raised to a vertical position and lifted into high bay 1 for mating with the external tank and solid rocket boosters waiting on the mobile launcher platform.
In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building, space shuttle Discovery is suspended above the floor before being raised to a vertical position. The vehicle will be lifted into high bay 1 for mating with the external tank and solid rocket boosters waiting on the mobile launcher platform.
In the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building, space shuttle Discovery begins the slow rotation to a vertical position. The vehicle will be hoisted into high bay 1 for mating with the external tank and solid rocket boosters waiting on the mobile launcher platform.
United Space Alliance workers check the sling attached to space shuttle Discovery before it is lifted into high bay 1. In the bay, Discovery will be mated with the external tank and solid rocket boosters waiting on the mobile launcher platform.
Inside the Vehicle Assembly Building, space shuttle Discovery is ready to be lifted into high bay 1.
A view of the underside of space shuttle Discovery as it is lifted above the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building. Discovery will be moved into high bay 1 for mating with the external tank and solid rocket boosters waiting on the mobile launcher platform.
Inside the Vehicle Assembly Building, space shuttle Discovery is lifted into the upper regions for transfer to high bay 1.
Viewed from behind inside the Vehicle Assembly Building, space shuttle Discovery is lifted into the upper regions for transfer to high bay 1. In the bay, Discovery will be mated with the external tank and solid rocket boosters waiting on the mobile launcher platform.
Inside the Vehicle Assembly Building, space shuttle Discovery is lowered into high bay 1. Below it is the external tank. Discovery will be mated with the external tank and solid rocket boosters waiting on the mobile launcher platform.
Space shuttle Discovery is lowered next to the external tank and solid rocket boosters already installed on the mobile launcher platform.
Inside the Vehicle Assembly Building, space shuttle Discovery is lowered next to the external tank and solid rocket boosters already installed on the mobile launcher platform.
A fish-eye view shows space shuttle Discovery after being lowered next to the external tank and solid rocket boosters already installed on the mobile launcher platform.
Inside the Vehicle Assembly Building, space shuttle Discovery has been lowered next to the external tank and solid rocket boosters already installed on the mobile launcher platform.
The payload canister containing the Italian-built U.S. Node 2 module, called Harmony, arrives on Launch Pad 39A. The canister will be lifted to the payload changeout room, seen at the top center, and the module transferred inside.
With umbilical lines still attached, the payload canister containing the Italian-built U.S. Node 2 module, called Harmony, is lifted up toward the payload changeout room on Launch Pad 39A.
With umbilical lines still attached, the payload canister containing the Italian-built U.S. Node 2 module, called Harmony, is lifted up toward the payload changeout room on Launch Pad 39A.
In full light of day, the payload canister containing the Italian-built U.S. Node 2 module, called Harmony, is in place next to the payload changeout room on Launch Pad 39A. The canister will be opened and the module transferred inside. The payload will be installed in space shuttle Discovery's payload bay after the vehicle rolls out to the pad.
Workers monitor the progress of Space Shuttle Discovery as it moves through the doors of the Vehicle Assembly Building toward Launch Pad 39A. First motion out of the VAB was at 6:47 a.m. EDT.
Space Shuttle Discovery, atop a mobile launch platform, moves through the doors of the Vehicle Assembly Building toward Launch Pad 39A just before sunrise on a balmy Florida morning.
Space Shuttle Discovery moves along the crawlerway near the turn basin in Launch Complex 39 toward Pad A.
Space Shuttle Discovery, atop a mobile launch platform, passes by the turn basin in Launch Complex 39 toward Pad A as the sun rises on a balmy Florida morning.
A crawler transporter moves Space Shuttle Discovery, secured atop a mobile launch platform, along the crawlerway from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39A on a balmy Florida morning.
A rainbow can be seen in the spray from the water truck traveling ahead of Space Shuttle Discovery on its move from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39A.
Space Shuttle Discovery approaches Launch Pad 39A.
Discovery is on its mobile launch platform atop the NASA crawler making its way to pad 39A for mission STS120.
Space Shuttle Discovery, atop a mobile launch platform, climbs the five percent grad to the top of the hardstand at Launch Pad 39A.
Rollout is a milestone for Discovery's launch to the International Space Station on mission STS-120, targeted for Oct. 23.
Discovery arrived at its seaside launch pad on September 30 around noon and was hard down at 1:15 p.m.
Access platforms at Launch Pad 39A are moved into position against Space Shuttle Discovery on a balmy Florida afternoon.
A banner at Launch Pad 39A proclaims the sentiments of the work force at Kennedy Space Center following the arrival of Space Shuttle Discovery on a balmy Florida afternoon.