Discovery in final trip to launchpad

Space shuttle Discovery is back on the launchpad following unprecedented repairs for its final voyage.

Nasa moved Discovery out of its hangar on Tuesday night, and it reached the pad well before dawn yesterday.

Barring any more trouble, it should be the last time Discovery makes the three-mile trip. Launch is planned for February 24.

Discovery was supposed to make its last flight to the Inter­national Space Station in Nov­ember, but cracks appeared in its fuel tank and Nasa sent it back to the Vehicle Assembly Building before Christmas for the extensive repair work.