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NASA

Apr 28, 2008
Image Article
View from front center below nose of shuttle Discovery inside hangar at NASA Kennedy Space Center
In the Orbiter Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the Orbiter Transport System gets ready to roll in under space shuttle Discovery. The transporter will move Discovery to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) where the shuttle will be joined to the external tank and twin solid rocket boosters in preparation for the STS-124 mission.

In the Orbiter Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the Orbiter Transport System gets ready to roll in under space shuttle Discovery. The transporter will move Discovery to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) where the shuttle will be joined to the external tank and twin solid rocket boosters in preparation for the STS-124 mission, currently targeted for launch on May 31.
STS-124 is the second of three flights to deliver the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Kibo laboratory to the International Space Station. At 37 feet long and 14 feet wide, the Japanese Pressurized Module will be the station’s largest science laboratory. The shuttle also will deliver the lab’s robotic arm system that supports operations outside of Kibo. The lab’s logistics module, which was installed in a temporary location during STS-123 in March, will be attached to the new lab.
Mark Kelly will command the seven-member crew.Image Credit: NASA/Troy Cryder