Article Posted on : - Feb 02, 2011

Space shuttle Discovery

CAPE CANAVERAL (AP): Space shuttle Discovery is back on the launch pad following unprecedented repairs for its final voyage.

NASA moved Discovery out of its hangar Tuesday, and the rocketship reached the pad well before dawn Tuesday. Barring any more trouble, it should be the last time Discovery makes the three-mile (4.8 kilometer) trip.

Discovery was supposed to make its last flight to the International Space Station in November. But cracks popped up in the fuel tank. NASA sent the shuttle back to the Vehicle Assembly Building before Christmas for the extensive repair work.

In the meantime, the lead spacewalker for the mission was hurt when he wrecked his bicycle in Houston last month.

His replacement is getting a crash course in training to be ready for the Feb. 24 launch.