Author Topic: Launch Complex 39 Q&A (Read 360439 times)

JayP · « **Reply #280 on:** 07/01/2011 03:29 pm »

Thanks, anything you can find would be interesting. One thing that seemed a little weird was that, on the main fill and drain line, the main and auxiliary valves are parallel, while on the TSM drain, they are in series. One other thing. I assume this is because of the different densities and temperatures, but if not, do you have any insures as to why the LH2 side uses block valves while the LO2 side uses butterfly valves?

Prober · « **Reply #281 on:** 07/01/2011 11:34 pm »

over 665 pages on LC-39 History

http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19790003956_1979003956.pdf

Was a great find on the NASA server.

dantdbv · « **Reply #282 on:** 07/11/2011 03:27 pm »

I am not sure this should be here or in historic, but since its LC39A, i hope it's okay.

I would be very much interested, in pictures and information about the Sound Suppression Water System pipes, that runs along the the edges of both sides of the flametrench in this picture from STS-1
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/detail.cfm?mediaid=28296

Until 39b posted the pictures further down, I have only seen them in the picture above and in a drawing found here:

http://www.capcomespace.net/dossiers/espace_US/shuttle/ksc/LC39/LC39_FSS.htm

The Sound Suppression Water System was changed and beefed up after STS-1, due to the unexpected high SRB ignition overpressure, when STS-1 launched.

These pics is to give an idea of what I’m talking about.
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/detail.cfm?mediaid=36647

http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/detail.cfm?mediaid=37233

According to 39b who made the following posts with pics, the things was called
“Sound Suppression Water Spray Headers“
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=25455.msg753950#msg753950

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=25455.msg753990#msg753990

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=25455.msg754848#msg754848

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=25455.msg754851#msg754851

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=25455.msg754865#msg754865
In this picture it is not mounted yet, it lies on the pad surface.

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=25455.msg755902#msg755902

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=25455.msg755915#msg755915

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=25455.msg755926#msg755926

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=25455.msg758246#msg758246

It looks to me like these pictures was been taken, after the modifications to the Sound Suppression Water System.

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=25455.msg756218#msg756218

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=25455.msg756223#msg756223

What I’m interested in knowing is:
The dimensions of the things. If it is not possible to get the sizes from STS-1, then I would be equally happy to get the dimensions and distances of the current pipes and the places, where the mounting braces have been, because then it would be possible to extrapolate the historic dimensions.

Picture or videos that shows how water flows this kind of pipes, preferably from the time of STS-1, but similar pipes would be welcome.

If anybody can remember it, I would also like to know, when during the countdown for STS-1, the water would begin to flow from the pipes.

I plan on building a model of STS-1 on the pad, just after (HBOI) Hydrogen Burn Of Ignitors or (ROFI's) Radially Outward Firing Initiators (sparklers) ignition, before SSME start, at about t-8 seconds. Eventually with just enough hardstand, to fit in the FSS and RSS.

Any and all help will be very much appreciated.

Hopefully yours

DanTDBV

DaveS · « **Reply #283 on:** 07/17/2011 02:23 pm »

I'm currently on the hunt for close up photos of the Orbiter Transporter System(OTS) driver cab, the control panels for the rear OTS/Orbiter attachment struts and the engine/exhaust pipes on the rear section.

kevin-rf · « **Reply #284 on:** 07/25/2011 02:48 pm »

Now that the Shuttle program is over, will the LOX and LH tanks at the pad be drained, or will LOX and LH tanks be kept topped off like they where during the transition from Apollo to Shuttle?

btw. When was the last time the LH tanks where empty? Was it as far back as the 1960's?

padrat · « **Reply #285 on:** 07/25/2011 10:40 pm »

As far as I know the tanks haven't been drained since Apollo. But, as I found out the day before layoff, they will be drained again shortly. No real surprise, since that means they won't need to keep a skeleton crew to maintain anything. I believe that they are draining and safeing the hypergolic systems as well, which basically means they can just lock the gate and walk away.

kevin-rf · « **Reply #286 on:** 07/26/2011 12:44 am »

That is what I was afraid of, the first time in my lifetime those tanks have been drained. Sad how final this all is.

Thanks

Orbiter · « **Reply #287 on:** 07/26/2011 05:16 am »

Didn't see this asked, but are there plans to erect lightning towers like around 39B around 39A? Probably not within the next 5 years, of course.

Orbiter

brettreds2k · « **Reply #288 on:** 07/26/2011 02:38 pm »

From what I read yesterday they plan to keep 39A just as is, and keep it as it stands so it can be used for the next generation system, So if thats the case Id think the existing lightning towers would remain.

Malderi · « **Reply #289 on:** 07/26/2011 11:35 pm »

Quote from: padrat on 07/25/2011 10:40 pm

As far as I know the tanks haven't been drained since Apollo. But, as I found out the day before layoff, they will be drained again shortly. No real surprise, since that means they won't need to keep a skeleton crew to maintain anything. I believe that they are draining and safeing the hypergolic systems as well, which basically means they can just lock the gate and walk away.

Those tanks have an extremely limited number of thermal cycles, correct? Isn't it like 5 or 6?

padrat · « **Reply #290 on:** 07/27/2011 07:06 pm »

I'm not sure of the exact number, but yes, they have limited cycles before they have to be thoroughly tested. Tested to the point where it probably would be cheaper to just tear them down and build a new one.

brettreds2k · « **Reply #291 on:** 08/22/2011 07:03 pm »

So have the decided for sure to keep 39A as is and not tear it down like they did pad 39B? If so whats the reason for keeping it since the structure is built to support the Shuttle and no other vehicle?

brettreds2k · « **Reply #292 on:** 09/01/2011 04:55 pm »

Anyone?

padrat · « **Reply #293 on:** 09/02/2011 12:51 am »

With the SLS supposedly being a SDLV, they wanted to keep the pad as is in case of a sidemount or something to that effect. But since that decision was made a while ago and alot has changed since then, I wouldnt bet money on anything right now

brettreds2k · « **Reply #294 on:** 09/02/2011 12:52 pm »

Gotcha, I have noticed on the video feeds there have been people working at the pad for the past couple of weeks, what are they most likley working on do you know? I see a few cars parked out there on the video feed every day. I figured there would be no one really out there right now.

Jim · « **Reply #295 on:** 09/02/2011 01:04 pm »

Quote from: brettreds2k on 09/02/2011 12:52 pm

Gotcha, I have noticed on the video feeds there have been people working at the pad for the past couple of weeks, what are they most likley working on do you know? I see a few cars parked out there on the video feed every day. I figured there would be no one really out there right now.

safing the pad and systems

DaveS · « **Reply #296 on:** 09/04/2011 10:09 am »

Does anyone have any photos of the Payload Canister door hinges?

JayP · « **Reply #297 on:** 09/04/2011 03:45 pm »

Quote from: DaveS on 09/04/2011 10:09 am

Does anyone have any photos of the Payload Canister door hinges?

The're just a series of normal piano hinges.
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/imageviewer.cfm?mediaid=46931&mr=l&w=0&h=0&fn=2010-3057&sn=KSC-2010-3057

edit/gongora: https://images.nasa.gov/details/2010-3057

DaveS · « **Reply #298 on:** 09/04/2011 05:22 pm »

Quote from: JayP on 09/04/2011 03:45 pm

Quote from: DaveS on 09/04/2011 10:09 am
Does anyone have any photos of the Payload Canister door hinges?

The're just a series of normal piano hinges.
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/imageviewer.cfm?mediaid=46931&mr=l&w=0&h=0&fn=2010-3057&sn=KSC-2010-3057

Jay, thanks for the photo. I am correct in thinking that the hinges are covered by the white fabric on the outside of the canister?

Also how many degrees does the doors rotate to their open position?

Jim · « **Reply #299 on:** 09/04/2011 06:54 pm »

no fabric on the outside