Space shuttle Discovery’s move to Launch Pad 39A for its STS-131 mission is
under way. First motion out of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s
Kennedy Space Center in Florida was at 11:58 p.m. EST on Tuesday.
Despite a gusty wind at Kennedy, it’s not expected to exceed the allowable
limits of 40 knots (46 mph) with gusts to 60 knots (69 mph).
Discovery is expected to complete its 3.4 mile trip and be secured down on
the launch pad at about 7 a.m.
NASA Television’s live video coverage of the move, known as rollout, will
begin at 6:30 a.m.
The seven astronauts for Discovery’s STS-131 mission, who are at Kennedy for
their launch countdown dress rehearsal training called the Terminal
Countdown Demonstration Test, were on-hand to watch the start of rollout.