KSC-05PD-1888

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Space Shuttle Discovery, atop a modified Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA), flies over Launch Complex 39 at Kennedy Space Center on its final approach to runway 15 at the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF). Landing was at about 10:00 a.m. EDT. The cross-country ferry flight became necessary when two days of unfavorable weather conditions at KSC forced Discovery to land on runway 22 at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., on Aug. 9 following mission STS-114. The SCA and Discovery will be towed to the Mate_Demate Device at the SLF where a crane will lift Discovery from the SCA and place it on solid ground. Discovery will then be towed to the Orbiter Processing Facility where preparations will begin for its next flight, STS-121.