kraisee - 5/10/2006 3:38 PMOne thing I was thinking about was a 'rack' of service arms. A single block of trusswork, starting about 100ft above the Deck-0 height, and going all the way up. Every 10-ft section could have a work platform which extends on the end providing full access up and down the rocket.Something that sort of physical size might be strong enough to have a small crane integrated in, but I doubt a simple service arm would be strong enough to lift any really significant masses.Ross.
Avron - 6/10/2006 5:29 AMSomething like the inside of the VAB but mobile (can be rotated/ moved out the way for launch.?.. with covering to protect from the elements.. two halves that move away from the LV, prior to launch... for that to work.. it needs structural strength to take high wind loads.. may as well make its strong enough to lift heavy loads, say replace large components... Jim's not like to know where I am going.. but lets really think out of the box.. it could save billions, reduce process flow times.. lower risks and provide the ultimate access at the pad while providing high end protection from the nasties that come in from time to time off the Altantic..
publiusr - 3/11/2006 4:10 PMIf there is a downselect to Atlas V, with Delta IV being nixed, perhaps a SLC-6 DIRECT pad will be a possibility.
John Duncan - 20/11/2006 10:31 AMThe Apollo CSM was often wrapped in either plastic or a tailored tarp of some kind...I've got some photos somewhere. If fact, I remember much of the S-IVB being wrapped in plastic for the trip to the pad before the MSS was rolled out.An extensible weather protective shell for the CSM shouldn't be that hard to devise. Or just make a BPC for the SM and jettison it during ascent.Great stuff Ross. Direct is the way to go.