
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Discovery, atop a Mobile Launcher Platform (MLP), crawls toward Launch Complex 39B. First motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building occurred at 2:04 p.m. EDT. The rollout marks a major milestone in the Space Shuttle Program’s Return to Flight. The MLP is moved by the Crawler-Transporter underneath, which stands 20 feet high, 131 feet long and 114 feet wide. It moves on eight tracks, each containing 57 shoes, or cleats, weighing one ton each. Loaded with the Space Shuttle, the Crawler can move at a maximum speed of approximately 1 mile an hour. A leveling system in the Crawler keeps the Shuttle vertical while negotiating the 5 percent grade leading to the top of the launch pad. Launch of Discovery on its Return to Flight mission, STS-114, is targeted for May 15 with a launch window that extends to June 3. During its 12-day mission, Discovery’s seven-person crew will test new hardware and techniques to improve Shuttle safety, as well as deliver supplies to the International Space Station.
Most NASA images are in the public domain and free to use. Credit NASA as the source. Check NASA's media usage guidelines for details. Images featuring identifiable individuals may require additional permissions.
NASA ID
05pd0718
Date Created
April 6, 2005
Center
KSC
Media Type
image
Photographer
NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Download this image in multiple resolutions. All NASA media are free for public use.
Large
1920px
GRC-2004-C-01042
May 1, 2004
ARC-2005-ACD05-0191-034
Oct 13, 2005
Final RTF SSME test at A2 test stand
Aug 19, 2004
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In Cocoa Beach, Fla., a new five-meter telescope is lowered into the dome for installation. The tracking telescope is part of the Distant Object Attitude Measurement System (DOAMS) that provides optical support for launches from KSC and Cape Canaveral.
Aug 25, 2003