SPACE.com Image Gallery: Discovery’s First Step Toward Launch

Discovery's First Step Towards Launch

Show Of Support

Hitting a major milestone in NASA’s efforts to return its shuttle fleet to flight status, Discovery rolled out of its Orbiter Processing Facility in the early morning on March 29, 2005 to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Workers show their support as the orbiter Discovery slowly rolls out of the Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3 to begin its transfer to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). First motion was at 1:29 a.m. EST. Inside the VAB, Discovery will be mated to the External Tank/Solid Rocket Booster assembly for Return to Flight mission STS-114. Click to enlarge.

NASA