KSC-05-S-00161

At Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building, Space Shuttle Discovery has been remated to its External Tank and twin Solid Rocket Boosters. The new External Tank, ET-121, was originally scheduled to fly with Atlantis on mission STS-121 but will now help Discovery soar into space. A new heater was added to part of ET-121's pipeline that carries liquid oxygen to the orbiter’s main engines, minimizing the potential for ice and frost buildup. With carefully coordinated maneuvers, the orbiter was hoisted by a 175-ton bridge crane over the cross beam of high bay 3 and lowered into position. Technicians, with the help of a computer, guided the hoisting device that lifted and then positioned the orbiter to within millimeters of its destination. After testing, the orbiter's metal support sling will be disconnected. The fully assembled Space Shuttle stack is now being prepared for rollout to Launch Pad 39B for its scheduled launch in July .