Space shuttle Discovery fixed, back on launch pad

Space shuttle Discovery fixed, back on launch pad (AP)
Space shuttle Discovery slowly makes it's way to Launch Pad 39a at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Monday, Jan. 31, 2011. The move takes approximately 7 hours. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

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

NASA moved Discovery out of its hangar Monday night, 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 trip.

Discovery was supposed to make its last flight to the in November. But cracks popped up in the fuel tank. 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.

More information: NASA: http://www.nasa.gov/mission-pages/shuttle/main/index.html

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