Author Topic: Launch Complex 39 Q&A  (Read 327816 times)

Offline maxx

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Launch Complex 39 Q&A
« on: 09/25/2008 09:56 am »
I have several questions about the pads:

a. What are those large canisters under the pad (1&2)?
a1. There is 2 different models of canisters, are they holding different content?

May be obvious but
b. Where is all that plumbing (3) an pad A? Inside the pad? Comparing http://www-de.ksc.nasa.gov/dedev/maps/pad_a.html and http://www-de.ksc.nasa.gov/dedev/maps/pad_b.html there is quite a few difference between the 2 pads, that makes me wonder if that plumbing was added on pad B or simply relocated.

c. What facilities are inside the pad?

And the last for now,
d. What is the Azimuth Alignment Station (located in the middle of the incline)?

Thanks in advance

Mods: feel free to move or merge if required.
« Last Edit: 09/25/2008 09:58 am by maxx »

Offline Jim

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Re: Launch Complex 39 Q&A
« Reply #1 on: 09/25/2008 11:12 am »
a.  Tube banks of high pressure GN2
b.  It is on the other side of the crawlerway
C.  PTCR, bathrooms, AC equipment, batteries for backup power, etc
d.  Used to align the Saturn V guidance system (i believe)

Offline maxx

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Re: Launch Complex 39 Q&A
« Reply #2 on: 09/25/2008 12:33 pm »
a.  Tube banks of high pressure GN2
b.  It is on the other side of the crawlerway
C.  PTCR, bathrooms, AC equipment, batteries for backup power, etc
d.  Used to align the Saturn V guidance system (i believe)
Thanks for you quick reply :)

Offline DMeader

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Re: Launch Complex 39 Q&A
« Reply #3 on: 09/25/2008 01:45 pm »
Something I've wondered about for a long time.

Artwork I saw back in the sixties during Apollo showed the flame deflectors on rails... the rails led out of the trench. I believe the idea was that the deflectors could be moved out for repair/refurbishment, the artwork even showed a second spare deflector parked on a siding a distance from the pad.

Was any of this ever done, not used, or didn't exist at all except in the illustration I remember? The photos of the damage to the trench also showed the deflector and it looked awfully fixed in position.

Offline Ronsmytheiii

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Re: Launch Complex 39 Q&A
« Reply #4 on: 09/25/2008 01:58 pm »
Something I've wondered about for a long time.

Artwork I saw back in the sixties during Apollo showed the flame deflectors on rails... the rails led out of the trench. I believe the idea was that the deflectors could be moved out for repair/refurbishment, the artwork even showed a second spare deflector parked on a siding a distance from the pad.

Was any of this ever done, not used, or didn't exist at all except in the illustration I remember? The photos of the damage to the trench also showed the deflector and it looked awfully fixed in position.

The Deflector was on rails for Saturn, it was later fixed for Shuttle.

Offline Jorge

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Re: Launch Complex 39 Q&A
« Reply #5 on: 09/25/2008 01:58 pm »
Something I've wondered about for a long time.

Artwork I saw back in the sixties during Apollo showed the flame deflectors on rails... the rails led out of the trench. I believe the idea was that the deflectors could be moved out for repair/refurbishment, the artwork even showed a second spare deflector parked on a siding a distance from the pad.

Was any of this ever done, not used, or didn't exist at all except in the illustration I remember? The photos of the damage to the trench also showed the deflector and it looked awfully fixed in position.

It was done at LC-34, but I don't think it was done at LC-39.
JRF

Offline Jim

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« Last Edit: 09/25/2008 02:34 pm by Jim »

Offline DMeader

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Re: Launch Complex 39 Q&A
« Reply #7 on: 09/25/2008 05:20 pm »
Thanks, great pics.

It looks like something sat for an extended period at the end of the track that angles away to the upper right. What is the building just to the end of that track?

Offline Jim

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Re: Launch Complex 39 Q&A
« Reply #8 on: 09/25/2008 06:09 pm »
Thanks, great pics.

1.  It looks like something sat for an extended period at the end of the track that angles away to the upper right.

2.  What is the building just to the end of that track?

1.  old spare flame deflector


Offline maxx

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Re: Launch Complex 39 Q&A
« Reply #9 on: 09/26/2008 08:47 pm »
I have another one...

What's the purpose of this thing at the bottom of the water tower (see picture)? I'm scratching my head and can't really figure it's function.

The closest to an explanation I came with, is that is some kind of "flow regulator"; dividing the water flow from the tower in 2 and then letting it flow through 1 to 3 of those pipe to regulate the flow. Is that the case?

Thanks

Offline Jim

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Re: Launch Complex 39 Q&A
« Reply #10 on: 09/26/2008 08:50 pm »
Had to reduce the pipe diameter to valve size

Offline maxx

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Re: Launch Complex 39 Q&A
« Reply #11 on: 09/26/2008 08:59 pm »
Thanks, so it down to 6 "little" valves rather than 2 huge ones.

As a follow up, do they work as a regulator or just as on/off valves?

Offline Jim

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Re: Launch Complex 39 Q&A
« Reply #12 on: 09/26/2008 09:08 pm »
All the lines join back into one.  You covered the joint with the square

Offline maxx

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Re: Launch Complex 39 Q&A
« Reply #13 on: 09/26/2008 09:22 pm »
All the lines join back into one.  You covered the joint with the square
No they join in 2 see this picture.

Thanks for your answers. :)

Offline brahmanknight

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Re: Launch Complex 39 Q&A
« Reply #14 on: 10/18/2008 05:46 pm »
When the MLP goes "hard down" at LC 39, does it just sit there or is it bolted down?

Offline DaveS

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Re: Launch Complex 39 Q&A
« Reply #15 on: 10/18/2008 05:56 pm »
When the MLP goes "hard down" at LC 39, does it just sit there or is it bolted down?
Bolted down.
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Offline DaveS

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Re: Launch Complex 39 Q&A
« Reply #16 on: 10/23/2008 05:13 pm »
Does anyone know if this map over the Firing Room consoles is still accurate for FR4?
"For Sardines, space is no problem!"
-1996 Astronaut class slogan

"We're rolling in the wrong direction but for the right reasons"
-USA engineer about the rollback of Discovery prior to the STS-114 Return To Flight mission

Offline padrat

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Re: Launch Complex 39 Q&A
« Reply #17 on: 10/27/2008 03:49 pm »
When the MLP goes "hard down" at LC 39, does it just sit there or is it bolted down?
Bolted down.

Actually the MLP only rests on the columns. The only hard connections to the pad surface are the commodity lines (gn2, ghe, firex, etc.) The MLP has pins that center it on the columns.
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Offline hygoex

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Re: Launch Complex 39 Q&A
« Reply #18 on: 03/21/2009 12:43 am »
For the Apollo program, did they have to set up the slidewire from the 320 foot level, after the Mobile Launcher arrived at the pad?

Offline padrat

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Re: Launch Complex 39 Q&A
« Reply #19 on: 03/24/2009 02:12 am »
I believe so
If the neighbors think you're the rebel of the neighborhood, embrace it and be the rebel. It keeps them wondering what you'll do next...

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