Shuttle Discovery on the launch pad
Minutes before takeoff
Left (Below): Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) being assembled on the launch pad.
Right: The grey gizmo to the left of the SRB is a water bird. At one second before ignition, the contents of a water tower are dumped onto the launch pad to control sound and heat. When I took this picture I was standing on spongy material. It was like standing on a bed. It was a few minutes before I realized I was standing on the launch pad. My jaw actually dropped and my tour guide just smiled.
Left (Below): The cryo fuel connect attaches the external fuel tank to the orbiter. It's the gas cap. The cover hanging down on the left doesn't work on the ground. It's designed to close in zero gravity.
Right: The landing gear tires are filled with nitrogen.
Endeavor Cryo Fuel Connect
