LOng time question

Does the shuttle launch off the crawler that transport it ?
These's crawlers have been used sinced the Apollo era.

bill

The crawler transport system may be the same, but the mobile launch platforms have been modified (and since updated) for shuttle use. Here's a quick link to the platform:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/launch/launch-pad-mlp.html

The entire Complex 39 page:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/launch/launch-complex39-toc.html

On the "Behind the Scenes" section there is a multimedia link to a special on the crawler's 40 year history. [bottom right on page] My dialup connection chokes when attempting viewing.
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/behindscenes/index.html

Lot's of good info...

Jeff