Shuttle test under way

A key test is under way in the Kennedy Space Center Vehicle Assembly Building today as NASA continues a march toward the planned July 1 launch of shuttle Discovery on the agency's second post-Columbia mission.

The Shuttle Interface Test is being carried out to check out all mechanical and electrical connections between the orbiter Discovery, its mobile launcher platform, external tank and twin solid rocket boosters.

The orbiter was mounted atop the platform and mated to its tank-and-booster stack over the weekend. The fully assembled shuttle remains scheduled to roll out to launch pad 39B at 2 a.m. Friday.

Click to enlarge this NASA photo of the mating operation. It was taken by contractor photographer Charisse Nahser.