Space Shuttle Discovery and Space Shuttle Atlantis stand ready on their Launch Pads (39A and 39B respectively.

Space Shuttle Discovery (foreground) and Space Shuttle Atlantis (background) both stand ready on their Launch Pads ( 39A and 39B respectively). Space Shuttle Discovery rolled out July 2 to be prepared for launch on mission STS-105 in August. Space Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to launch Thursday, July 12, on mission STS-104. Towering above each Shuttle on the left is the 80-foot lightning rod that helps protect each Shuttle from lightning strikes. At right are the 290-foot water tanks that provide 300,000 gallons of water during liftoff. They are part of the sound suppression water system at each pad