Im unclear on the use of F9/FH/ITS at 39. Do we think there will be an ITS specific mount or are they incorporating it into the existing one? will the FSS (in whatever form it eventually takes) be able to accomodate all those configurations?
Looks like we are gonna need a transition to ITS thread.
However, thinking about this storm got me thinking: What lightning protection structures are in place at 39A? I managed to find out that the lightning masts at SLC-40 are about 120 meters tall, easily tall enough to shield a 70 meter Falcon, but couldn't find anything for 39A. (Who knows what they'll do for ITS!)
With today's storm, I'd be concerned about that tent (for lack of the proper name) over the launch mount on 39A. If the wind gets under it I don't see any amount of tie down keeping it from launching on its own. Did anyone see if they at least rolled up the sides so the wind can pass through rather than pushing on it?
Quote from: 3Davideo on 10/06/2016 07:12 pmHowever, thinking about this storm got me thinking: What lightning protection structures are in place at 39A? I managed to find out that the lightning masts at SLC-40 are about 120 meters tall, easily tall enough to shield a 70 meter Falcon, but couldn't find anything for 39A. (Who knows what they'll do for ITS!)I believe 39A is still using the Shuttle-era lightning mast on top of the FSS. That's 347 feet (105m) from ground level to the tip of the lightning mast.The ITS rendering shows no lightning protection at all. Somehow, I doubt that will be the case.https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2016/06/17/modifications-transforming-pad-a-for-falcon-launches/
Quote from: Sam Ho on 10/06/2016 07:47 pmQuote from: 3Davideo on 10/06/2016 07:12 pmHowever, thinking about this storm got me thinking: What lightning protection structures are in place at 39A? I managed to find out that the lightning masts at SLC-40 are about 120 meters tall, easily tall enough to shield a 70 meter Falcon, but couldn't find anything for 39A. (Who knows what they'll do for ITS!)I believe 39A is still using the Shuttle-era lightning mast on top of the FSS. That's 347 feet (105m) from ground level to the tip of the lightning mast.The ITS rendering shows no lightning protection at all. Somehow, I doubt that will be the case.https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2016/06/17/modifications-transforming-pad-a-for-falcon-launches/I wouldn't take anything about the ground infrastructure in that video at face value. It will end up looking quite different.
Quote from: Lars-J on 10/07/2016 05:34 pmQuote from: Sam Ho on 10/06/2016 07:47 pmQuote from: 3Davideo on 10/06/2016 07:12 pmHowever, thinking about this storm got me thinking: What lightning protection structures are in place at 39A? I managed to find out that the lightning masts at SLC-40 are about 120 meters tall, easily tall enough to shield a 70 meter Falcon, but couldn't find anything for 39A. (Who knows what they'll do for ITS!)I believe 39A is still using the Shuttle-era lightning mast on top of the FSS. That's 347 feet (105m) from ground level to the tip of the lightning mast.The ITS rendering shows no lightning protection at all. Somehow, I doubt that will be the case.https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2016/06/17/modifications-transforming-pad-a-for-falcon-launches/I wouldn't take anything about the ground infrastructure in that video at face value. It will end up looking quite different. I don't know about that. If they are going to land that beast back at the 39-A, the lightening towers could be a problem.
Quote from: JasonAW3 on 10/07/2016 05:45 pmQuote from: Lars-J on 10/07/2016 05:34 pmQuote from: Sam Ho on 10/06/2016 07:47 pmQuote from: 3Davideo on 10/06/2016 07:12 pmHowever, thinking about this storm got me thinking: What lightning protection structures are in place at 39A? I managed to find out that the lightning masts at SLC-40 are about 120 meters tall, easily tall enough to shield a 70 meter Falcon, but couldn't find anything for 39A. (Who knows what they'll do for ITS!)I believe 39A is still using the Shuttle-era lightning mast on top of the FSS. That's 347 feet (105m) from ground level to the tip of the lightning mast.The ITS rendering shows no lightning protection at all. Somehow, I doubt that will be the case.https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2016/06/17/modifications-transforming-pad-a-for-falcon-launches/I wouldn't take anything about the ground infrastructure in that video at face value. It will end up looking quite different. I don't know about that. If they are going to land that beast back at the 39-A, the lightening towers could be a problem.If they can't nail the opening between the lightning-protection wires, they certainly have no business trying to connect with the launch mount.
The tent has been removed this week (per some KSC tour pics on SpaceX Facebook Group). https://www.facebook.com/groups/spacexgroup/permalink/10154644614536318/
Please use the ITS threads for ITS as this thread is only for Falcon Heavy.
Yes, it is the Pad 39A thread... Pad 39A transition to Falcon Heavy...
The agency will ask Florida Department of Transportation for $5 million to contribute to infrastructure improvements on Spaceport Launch Complex 39A, which SpaceX hopes will one day be the site of rocket launches that send humans to Mars.
According to meeting documents, "project match funding" from FDOT would be used for "infrastructure improvements by SpaceX."
By any chance, does anybody know the slope of that pad ramp?