How do they get the Space Shuttle on and off the 747 Airplane

From: Jack P.

Sent: May 11, 2012

To: undisclosed recipients

Subject: Fw: How do they get the Space Shuttle on and off the 747 Airplane

Did you ever wonder how NASA got the Space Shuttle on and off their 747 jet? Well wonder no more, view the attached images. Please share, Jack.

Watch the video below.

Shuttle Discovery was raised using the Mate/Demate device (MDD) at the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) at Kennedy Space Center today. Operations to do so yesterday were scrubbed due to high winds. Once raised the unique NASA Boeing 747, called the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) then was towed under Discovery. Discovery was then slowly and gently lowered onto the three attachment points on the aircraft. These three points are the same ones she once used to hold onto the External Tanks during lift off.

Discovery attached to the SCA will roll out of the Mate/Demate device tomorrow, Monday, ahead of her final departure on Tuesday April 17th 2012. Take off is set for around 11:00 UTC, 07:00 local to Washington D.C.

Discovery will be put on permanent display at the Smithsonian museum.