National Aeronautics and Space Administration

ASTRO-E was moved to the launch tower on January 31, 2000. The assembly of satellite, third stage, and nose fairing was first covered with a protective blanket. It was then rolled out from the clean booth on a special transport cart. The cart was placed on rails and pushed to the launch tower by the "Goliath Crane". At the tower, the blanket was removed and the assembly lifted by crane to the top of the tower, where it was placed atop the second stage.

ASTRO-E being rolled out of the clean booth

The track wheels being lowered onto the tracks

Coming out of the assembly building

The trip from the assembly building to the tower

Arriving at the launch tower

Removing the blanket

Lifting ASTRO-E up inside the launch tower

Preparing for Launch Photo Gallery Test and Assembly At the Launch Site