Putting together the space shuttle for a launch

Rarely seen pics of the process.  Fantastic photos of the Discovery shuttle being prepared for flight.   Here are just a few:

 External fuel tank delivered by barge from MS.

 Arriving at VAB at NASA.
VAB = Vertical Assembly Building

 

 Unloading fuel tank.

 Lifting the tank.

 Attaching the engines.

 Lifting the shuttle.

 Attaching the shuttle to the tanks.

 Shuttle leaves VAB for launch pad.

See the whole series

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Tags: Space+shuttle, NASA