Kennedy Space Center
Countdown to Launch

March 16, l998 - Shuttle transferred from OPF to the VAB

 

The Space Shuttle orbiter Columbia was transferred from Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3 today to the Vehicle Assembly Building, where it will be mated to its external tank and solid rocket boosters.

	Here it is shown backing out of the bay, with first motion occurring at 10:48 a.m. Columbia is being prepared for the STS-90 mission, carrying the Neurolab payload.
	Here it is shown on its way to the VAB.
	Here it is shown in the transfer aisle of the VAB.

For more information on the processing of launch vehicles, and more detail on the above facilities, see Kennedy Space Center's COUNTDOWN! NASA LAUNCH VEHICLES AND FACILITIES

Earlier Pictures of Neurolab Processing at KSC

March 9-Payload bay door closure
February 26-The STS-90 crew participate in CEIT
February 12-Neurolab in Orbiter Processing Facility bay 3
February, first week-Neurolab moved into its payload canister in O&C Building
January 1998-Crew participates in CEIT
December 1997-Further processing, preparation for launch
November 1997-Neurolab installed in Spacelab module in the O&C