The Tail Cone Goes On

Discovery landed at Edwards Sept. 11, ending its STS-128 mission to the International Space Station.

Technicians wheel the aerodynamic tailcone into place so they can attch it over Discovery's main and orbital maneuevering system engines. The covering reduces drag while the shuttle is carried back to NASA's Kennedy Space Center on top of a modified 747 airliner. Photo credit: NASA/Tony Landis