That laser spot has been there for a while. My guess is it has some alignment purpose.
Possibly the presumptive laser light is for a theodolite to align the guidance platform?
I'd take a WAG that it's from a ground-based source aimed at the vehicle to help assess how much sway they're seeing in the rocket from wind when the rocket is on the pad,
Quote from: Kabloona on 03/23/2016 02:20 pmI'd take a WAG that it's from a ground-based source aimed at the vehicle to help assess how much sway they're seeing in the rocket from wind when the rocket is on the pad, I have that confirmed by a "ground-based source."
From observed motion of the (ground fixed) laser beam relative to the size of the reflector pad, they should be able to calculate a maximum deflection, plug it into a structural model, and derive the structural loads being placed on the vehicle and the hold-down clamps.
I wonder if the grey box is actually the limit they'd like to maintain. IE if the laser spot leaves the box, winds are too high, bring back the strongback. Easy for a console operator to monitor that way.
I would suspect the grey box is a grid like an old Sun mousepad which allows automatic measurement of the sway angle.(I think I'm showing my age by admitting that I've actually used one of these mousepads before. )
I would suspect the grey box is a grid like an old Sun mousepad which allows automatic measurement of the sway angle.
Possibly not side to side but back and forth using distance to the reflector. A large reflector is then needed so that the side to side sway does not lead to the beam missing the reflector.
Quote from: MikeAtkinson on 03/26/2016 07:28 amPossibly not side to side but back and forth using distance to the reflector. A large reflector is then needed so that the side to side sway does not lead to the beam missing the reflector.That's better because automated and doesn't require someone eyeballing the vehicle.