Boeing to use Orbiter Processing Facility-1 for X-37B OTV

[collectSPACE]

Boeing to use former space shuttle hangar for secret space plane
http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-010414a-x37b-shuttle-hangar.html

A former NASA space shuttle hangar will serve as the new home and servicing facility for a fleet of secretive military space planes.

The Boeing Company announced on Friday (Jan. 3) it will begin converting Orbiter Processing Facility-1 (OPF-1) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to support the U.S. Air Force X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV). Built by Boeing's Phantom Works, the winged X-37B resembles in some ways a smaller version of NASA's shuttle with a 15-foot (4.5 m.) wingspan.

The move to use OPF-1 will "enable the U.S. Air Force to efficiently land, recover, refurbish, and re-launch" the 29-foot-long (8.8 m.), reusable unmanned spacecraft, Boeing officials said in a statement.

[yg1968]

Thanks for the article. It would be great if the X-37B also used the Shuttle Landing Facility.

Here is another article on the same topic:
http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20140104/SPACE/301040013/KSC-lands-secret-X-37B-space-plane-jobs

[Star One]

This had been on the cards for a while now hasn't it, sure I saw something about this proposal in Spaceflight magazine last year.

[Flightstar]

This had been on the cards for a while now hasn't it, sure I saw something about this proposal in Spaceflight magazine last year.

It's been reported numerous times as a likely option by NASAspaceflight.com, for a few years. Do a search.

Here's a thread for the 2012 story.
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=30182.0

[collectSPACE]

Suggested? Yes. But before Friday it wasn't confirmed or official.

[Jester]

Nice to see its finally official, now lets hope they grab the SLF too.

[Star One]

It suggests that the X-37B program has a lengthier future than just a few test flights. Wonder if they will manufacturer more vehicles, considering how long they stay in orbit perhaps they might keep more than one in orbit at once.

[Blackstar]

It suggests that the X-37B program has a lengthier future than just a few test flights. Wonder if they will manufacturer more vehicles, considering how long they stay in orbit perhaps they might keep more than one in orbit at once.

Which only emphasizes the question of what are they doing.

This is obviously an operational, not experimental mission. And the fact that it is USAF and not NRO is unusual for such a classified mission (although it is entirely possible that USAF is merely the cover for NRO).

[Lars_J]

It suggests that the X-37B program has a lengthier future than just a few test flights. Wonder if they will manufacturer more vehicles, considering how long they stay in orbit perhaps they might keep more than one in orbit at once.

Which only emphasizes the question of what are they doing.

This is obviously an operational, not experimental mission. And the fact that it is USAF and not NRO is unusual for such a classified mission (although it is entirely possible that USAF is merely the cover for NRO).

It is likely both, isn't? An operational vehicle to test experimental payloads for extended periods in space.

[Star One]

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — After a 22-year hiatus, NASA and the U.S. Department of Defense are resuming a partnership for a classified program that will be based at the Kennedy Space Center.

NASA flew secret missions for the military 10 times between January 1985 and December 1992, setting up a separate firing room, blacking out communications and abiding by a host of restrictions and operational procedures to accommodate the Defense Department’s demand for secrecy. This time around, NASA intends to be nothing more than a host for the Air Force’s classified X-37B program, which will lease two of the space shuttle’s mothballed processing hangars.

“It is different from shuttle. It’s not the same vehicle that has to flow through the [Vehicle Assembly Building] and that does a lot of the same shuttle operations [as nonclassified missions]. X-37B is basically a separable capability in one facility,” Scott Colloredo, director of KSC’s Center Planning and Development Directorate, told SpaceNews.

Rest on link.

http://www.spacenews.com/article/military-space/42367nasa-prepares-to-host-hush-hush-military-program-at-ksc

[Jim]

Standard back of OPF bay.  Notice door.

[Jim]

Modified back of OPF bay

[Helodriver]

As small as these vehicles are, the fact they are getting two OPFs only makes sense if the fleet is expanding or a larger follow on vehicle is planned.

[sdsds]

So is it reasonable to conclude the content of the X-37B payload bay is orientation sensitive before launch? It requires vertical integration not only with the LV but also with the spacecraft?

Also, is the front door of the OPF already high enough for X-37B to roll out encapsulated and vertical?

[Jim]

As small as these vehicles are, the fact they are getting two OPFs only makes sense if the fleet is expanding or a larger follow on vehicle is planned.

They are only getting one.  Another is for CST-100 and one is unclaimed.

[Jim]

1.  So is it reasonable to conclude the content of the X-37B payload bay is orientation sensitive before launch? It requires vertical integration not only with the LV but also with the spacecraft?

2.  Also, is the front door of the OPF already high enough for X-37B to roll out encapsulated and vertical?

1.  I wouldn't say so.  The vehicle could be serviced horizontally and then rotated vertical for encapsulation.

2.  I don't think so.  Why else would they install a new door that is sized for an encapsulated X-37 to leave. 
Notice the AC duct rework. 

Maybe there is an airlock installed on the other side.  Opening the front door, opens the whole facility to the outside.

[Mike_1179]

Maybe there is an airlock installed on the other side.  Opening the front door, opens the whole facility to the outside.

That would assume the inside of the OPF would now be a clean room, right?

[Helodriver]

As small as these vehicles are, the fact they are getting two OPFs only makes sense if the fleet is expanding or a larger follow on vehicle is planned.

They are only getting one.  Another is for CST-100 and one is unclaimed.

The linked article above states they're getting two.    "The X-37B program, which currently consists of two nearly 9-meter-long robotic spaceplanes, is taking over Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) bays 1 and 2. "

I trust your firsthand knowledge more than a random reporter though.

[Jim]

That would assume the inside of the OPF would now be a clean room, right?

The facility at one time was capable of supporting a clean area.

[Mike_1179]

The facility at one time was capable of supporting a clean area.

Would that allow them to do payload processing in there as well as work on the X-37 itself in the same building?

[Jim]

Drove by the OPF-2 and the main door was open.  It was completely gutted and empty.

[edkyle99]

Re:  the new, vertically-oriented door.  Could this be for payloads coming into the building for integration with X-37B, rather than for an X-37B leaving the building?

 - Ed Kyle

[virnin]

Maybe there is an airlock installed on the other side.  Opening the front door, opens the whole facility to the outside.

That would assume the inside of the OPF would now be a clean room, right?

Not necessarily just to support a clean room, could be intended to protect the contents of the building from casual surveillance when the outer door is open, especially if there are two vehicles in the launch rotation.

[Jim]

Re:  the new, vertically-oriented door.  Could this be for payloads coming into the building for integration with X-37B, rather than for an X-37B leaving the building?

It is sized for an Atlas 5m fairing.  The X-37 payloads could fit through a double door.  But that doesn't mean the same door could be used for both directions.

[Jim]

Not necessarily just to support a clean room, could be intended to protect the contents of the building from casual surveillance when the outer door is open, especially if there are two vehicles in the launch rotation.

There are easy work arounds for that, which don't need an airlock.

[Ronsmytheiii]

Drove by the OPF-2 and the main door was open.  It was completely gutted and empty.

This looks like the latest image I could find.

http://www.collectspace.com/ubb/Forum35/HTML/000623.html

[jacqmans]

Drove by the OPF-2 and the main door was open.  It was completely gutted and empty.

This looks like the latest image I could find.

http://www.collectspace.com/ubb/Forum35/HTML/000623.html

That's OPF-2, The X-37 OPF is OPF-1 and OPF-3 is now CST-100

[Ronsmytheiii]

Drove by the OPF-2 and the main door was open.  It was completely gutted and empty.

This looks like the latest image I could find.

http://www.collectspace.com/ubb/Forum35/HTML/000623.html

That's OPF-2, The X-37 OPF is OPF-1 and OPF-3 is now CST-100

Yes, I was responding to Jim's comment about OPF-2

Edit: Also This article states that OPF-2 was taken by the X-37 program as well:

The X-37B program, which currently consists of two nearly 9-meter-long robotic spaceplanes, is taking over Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) bays 1 and 2.

http://spacenews.com/42367military-space-quarterly-nasa-prepares-to-host-hush-hush-military/

[Jim]

New door opening on OPF-2