Before a space shuttle launch, several processing steps occur that are rarely seen by the public. The external tank arrives by barge and is lifted vertically in the VAB. Solid rocket boosters and engines are attached to the external tank. Meanwhile, the shuttle is attached to the external tank in the VAB. A payload is prepared and then moved to the launch pad to be inserted into the shuttle. Finally, the fully assembled shuttle and external tank are moved to the launch pad where final preparations are made for launch.

1. SHUTTLE PROCESSING (Before Flight Activities Rarely Seen By The General Public) DISCOVER --- DISCOVERY

2. External Tank Arrives by Barge from MS

4. Vertical Assembly Building External Tank

5. Removing External Tank From Carrier

7. External Tank Enters VAB

8. External Tank in VAB

9. Preparing to Lift the Tank to Vertical

10. Lifting Tank

11. Solid Rockets Are Attached

12. Engines Are Attached To Solids

13. Engines Are Attached To The Shuttle In The Shuttle Processing Facility

17. Shuttle In Sling Ready For Lift In VAB

18. Shuttle Has Been Moved To VAB And And Will Be Attached To External Tank

20. Shuttle is Attached

24. Payload Preparation Room (PPR)

25. Cargo Package For ISS

26. New Module For ISS

27. Payload Ready To Be Moved to The Launch Pad

29. Payload Carrier Leaves PPR

31. Payload Being Moved To Launch Pad

33. Lifting Payload Into Position For Insertion Into Discovery When It Arrives At The Pad

36. Shuttle Discovery Leaves VAB

38. Shuttle & Crawler Launch Pad TRIP: Length--- 3 ½ mi Time--- 6-8 hours

40. Crawler Control

42. DISCOVERY ARRIVES AT PAD

46. READY FOR LAUNCH

47. We Have Lift Off