Posted: Thu, Oct 25, 2001, 11:23 AM ET (1523 GMT)
NASA moved the space shuttle Endeavour to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the Kennedy Space Center Wednesday, the next step in preparations for the launch of mission STS-108 next month. The shuttle was moved from a hangar to the VAB so that it could be mated to its external tank and solid rocket boosters. The move was the first time a shuttle had been outside since the September 11 terrorist attacks; security at KSC remains high but officials would not say if the security surrounding Endeavour's move was higher than that normally given when the shuttle is moved around the launch center. The shuttle and its launch stack are scheduled to be moved to the pad 39B next week, but NASA officials declined to give a specific date for the rollout, citing security concerns. Endeavour is scheduled for launch November 29 carrying the three-person Expedition Four crew, which will replace the Expedition Three crew currently on the station.

Related Links:

•  Spaceflight Now article
•  Florida Today article