Because the Space Shuttle occasionally has to use alternate landing places, NASA uses two heavily modified 747 aircraft to ferry them around the world. Check out how they mate the shuttle to the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft below.

Click "next" to scroll through the steps involved in dropping the giant space shuttle on the even larger cargo jet. Humorously, the technicians painted a note stating "Attach Orbiter Here" with the sarcastic note: "Black Side Down."

The shuttle is towed to the mate-unmate dock.

The orbiter is towed into the seven-story mate-unmate dock.

The shuttle is attached to the lift and prepped.

Prep includes inspecting the shuttle and getting it ready for flight. In transit, they're not supposed to encounter turbulence or moisture.

The rear is covered with a shield to reduce drag.

The rear of the jet, including the stabilizer, are fixed in place.

Every inch of the orbiter is carefully investigated and sealed for flight, which is often as low as 10,000 feet to avoid extreme temps.

The entire shuttle is raised.

Once the orbiter is raised ot the proper height (note, it takes a while) the 747 SCA is towed into place.

Once the shuttle is properly positioned over the plane it's then dropped onto the special supports.

Once the shuttle is connected they tow both back out.

The shuttle is now ready to take off.

In flight over the desert, they get to do the opposite on the other end to get it off and ready to take off.

Image credit: NASA

To see a time lapse video of this process check out

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