Shuttle Discovery moved to VAB ahead of May launch

April 26, 2008 Today at 11:07 GMT (07:07 local time), US Discovery departed its hangar at the Kennedy Space Center  (OPF), and was towed into the  (VAB), arriving at 12:05  (08:05 local time). Its next scheduled launch,, is currently targeted for the end of May.

This procedure, known as a rollover, occurs around five to six weeks ahead of launch, and is followed by stacking, or attachment of Discovery to an and a pair of, which are waiting in the VAB. Once this has been completed, electrical tests will be conducted on the Shuttle, and then it will be rolled out to in a week's time.

Discovery's next mission,, will carry seven astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS), and deliver the main component of the Japanese. The crew who are scheduled to fly aboard Discovery are mission commander Mark E. Kelly, pilot, mission specialists , , and , and  ISS crew member.