Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39
Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39 (LC -39 ) is an active launch site at NASA and the only launch site at the Kennedy Space Center. The Launch Complex 39 consists of two launch pads. It is located at Cape Canaveral in Florida, USA.
NASA starts from here most of manned flights, as some of the Apollo program and all space shuttles. He was also provided as part of the Constellation program now set for the Ares rockets, of these, however, only came Ares IX used.
- 2.1 conversion and new construction 2.1.1 The starting systems
- 2.1.2 Orbiter Processing Facility
- 2.1.3 Other modifications
- 3.1 The next remodeling 3.1.1 LC - 39A
- 3.1.2 LC - 39B
- 3.1.3 Mobile Start System
- 3.1.4 Other modifications
Apollo
Through the size of the Saturn V, the plan to build a new, NASA 's launch site was created instead of manipulating a starting place on the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station ( CCAFS ). Have been created in an area just north of the CCAFS to continue to use tothe building there.
The launch facilities
The entire complex was originally supposed to have five launch ramps, three of which were built and kept in reserve two. The built three should be designated from north to south as LC - 39A, LC - 39B, and 39C LC. However, LC - 39A was never built, so that one LC - 39C in 1963, renamed the LC - 39A. The only open visual indication for planning further launch pads is an offshoot of Crawlerways, about 1.6 kilometers west of LC - 39A and 2.4 km south of LC - 39B.
The starting system in itself is made of concrete. A 250 m long 5 % grade leads to the 13 meter high fire pit. In this so-called "Clear Pad " is a room that houses the computer technology needed to start. There were four lightning rod, several equipment rooms and the supports on which the mobile launcher platform is supported. In addition, the tanks were built for the liquid fuels.
Vehicle Assembly Building
The main building of the then Vertical Assembly Building ( VAB) said building was built on an area of 157.9 m × 134.7 m and 160.3 m above sea level at that time was the largest hall building in the world. In his four "High Bay " were up to three Saturn V be established. The remaining cell was kept free for other purposes. There is an adjoining a "Low Bay". It is 83.5 m long, 134.7 m wide and 64 m high. In it, the missile parts were supplied and checked.
Other Facilities
The Crawlerway connects the two launch sites with the VAB. It consists of two 12.2 m wide lanes and a 15.2 m wide median strip. The riding surface is composed of four layers, so that the weight of the crawler - transporter, including launch platform and spacecraft can be worn. The top layer is made of river gravel of 10 cm thickness on straight sections and 20 cm in curves. This is followed by a 30 cm asphalt mixture, 90 cm and 80 cm limestone fillers. The route is 5.5 km to the LC - 39A and 6.8 km to the LC - 39B.
The two crawler transporters are the second largest means of transportation around the world, but it slowly. They are 40 m long, 34.7 m wide and 6.1 m high. Its maximum speed is 3.2 km / h without and 1.6 km / h with a spacecraft. Each vehicle has 2750 hp diesel engines, which in turn drive four 1,000 kW generators. The energy thus generated drives the drive motors 16. In addition, the surveillance monitors are supplied in two cabs from them. Add to that the hydraulic system, which holds the mobile launch platform, including spacecraft in a vertical position while the crawler takes the 5% slope in attack.
It will apply to buildings that do not belong directly to the LC -39, but for the operation needed there, a part of the launch control center was built at the same time. It lies just south of the VAB. From there, the launch preparations are monitored during the countdown. In addition, the start is initiated from here.
Another building that has now been incorporated, the Operations and Checkout Building at the northern end of the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. There, the Apollo spacecraft were assembled and checked. In addition, there lived the astronauts before launch.
Apollo Project
During the Apollo program, launched 17 missiles from LC - 39 with LC - 39A twelve Saturn V launched ( two test flights, nine Apollo missions and Skylab ). From LC - 39B launched Apollo 10 as the only mission with a Saturn V. Skylab 2, 3 and 4 and the Apollo - Soyuz Test Project launched also from LC - 39B, but with a Saturn IB, one for the mobile on the launch platform shortening had to be attached.
Shuttle Project
During the Apollo program, NASA in the late 1960s decided to develop a reusable space shuttle - the space shuttle. For the launch of this new rocket type LC -39 should be used, which had to be to partially rebuilt.
Conversion and new construction
The launch facilities
The most visible change took place on the two starting places. There were first on LC - 39A, then dismantled on LC - 39B lightning conductors. It began with the modernization of the equipment before they built the new fixed launch tower on the pad. Through him run all access routes and fuel lines. Also, depends on this Fixed Service Structure the Rotating Service Structure, with which you can carry larger payloads in the payload bay of the shuttle. In addition to him an escape cable car is fitted that enables the crew to leave the start ramp quickly in an emergency.
Orbiter Processing Facility
The three Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF ) mentioned buildings are close to the VAB. They do not belong directly to the launch site, but the shuttles are needed for maintenance. OPF 1 and 2 are to the west, OPF built 3 northwest of the VAB. While at 3 OPF adjacent a low- Bay, 1 and 2 are connected by one. All buildings are built the same.
Further modifications
In the VAB, which was now called the Vehicle Assembly Building, some cranes had to be rebuilt so that the external tank and the orbiter could be attached. In addition, the launch platforms had to be greatly modified since the launch tower was no longer needed on them and a second opening for the other booster had to be created.
The shuttle program
In the wake of the shuttle program launched 135 missions from LC -39, 81 of LC - 39A and 54 of LC - 39B.
After the Space Shuttle
After the Columbia disaster, the U.S. Congress ordered the withdrawal of the shuttle fleet by 2010. Announced in 2004, U.S. President George W. Bush that NASA in 2020 to take a moon landing attack. Then, NASA launched the Constellation program, which was canceled in February 2010. A year later it was announced that NASA intends to release parts of the Kennedy Space Center for private use.
The next conversion
LC - 39A
LC - 39A was initially disabled only after the landing of the last shuttle.
For Constellation plan was to treat the starting system such as LC - 39B, however, incorporate no rail rescue system, because from here initially only unmanned launches were planned. For which vehicle systems in future modifications need to be made there is currently still uncertain (as of October 2013).
LC - 39B
LC - 39B was decommissioned by NASA after the launch of STS -116 on January 1, 2007. In November 2007 started the construction of three 180 meter high lightning rod towers. The ramp was still held until May 2009 for a possible rescue mission of the last Hubble servicing mission in reserve. In June 2009, the actual conversion for the Constellation program began. For this, the entire launch tower was dismantled and modernized equipment. Was rebuilt the outlet section of the "roller coaster" Rail Rescue System, a replacement for the former cable car system. A video documenting this demolition.
Mobiles starting system
To bring the serious Ares V to the launch, the crawler - transporter would need to be strengthened. Whether it even comes to that, is unclear.
More conversions
In the VAB is converted again to normal missiles can be built.