STS-120 Payload Moves to the Launch Pad

In the predawn hours this morning, the payload canister for mission STS-120 arrived at Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The Italian-built U.S. Harmony module destined for the International Space Center will be transferred to Discovery’s payload bay once the space shuttle reaches the pad.

Inside the Vehicle Assembly Building, Discovery’s processing continues. Earlier in the week, the orbiter was attached to the external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters atop the mobile launch platform.

In preparation for the targeted Oct. 23 launch, Discovery is now set to roll out to the launch pad aboard the crawler transporter on Sept. 29.