File:KSC-05-S-00001 (ksc 010605 rtf et arrival).webm

English: The gigantic External Tank that will help launch Space Shuttle Discovery on its Return to Flight mission has arrived at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The arrival of the newly redesigned tank marks a major milestone in NASA's Return to Flight effort. 'The team at Kennedy Space Center has been very excited for a couple months now since we sort of turned the corner on Return to Flight. With the installation of the main engines and the stacking of the solid rocket boosters, we saw that we had completed the investigation and corrective actions and we're beginning to actually process towards another launch. And the delivery of this external tank is just the last element that we were waiting for.' The 15-story, bronze-colored tank traveled to KSC aboard NASA's specially designed barge called Pegasus. Less than 24 hours after its arrival, the tank was unloaded from the barge and transported to the nearby Vehicle Assembly Building. There, it will begin final preparations for its historic launch, including inspections, further processing and mating with the twin Solid Rocket Boosters. Later, Discovery will be attached to the tank, and roll out to the launch pad. The tank's arrival is significant not only for Return to Flight, but also in the bigger picture of fulfilling NASA's Vision for Space Exploration. 'The Vision for Space Exploration has its first and most necessary step -- Return to Flight of the Space Shuttle. We are now able to do that and we certainly target for a May_June launch of that Shuttle. After the first couple demonstration flights, we will then continue the assembly of the International Space Station and some 28 to 30 flights from now, we will have the Station assembly complete. That will enable us to do the necessary human and biological science on board Station which then enables us to go back to the Moon and on to Mars and beyond.'