Did it strike anyone else as bass-ackwards to say the launch complex has selected a launch vehicle as its launch vehicle of choice? ...
http://www.parabolicarc.com/2014/12/28/kodiak-launch-complex-upgrade-caught-spending-freeze/Kodiak Launch Complex Upgrade Caught in Spending Freezeby Doug Messieron December 28, 2014, at 10:02 amFacing a $3.5 billion budget shortfall due to the falling cost of oil, Alaska Gov. Bill Walker has ordered work stopped on a handful of major construction projects.SNIPThe upgrades to the launch paid would accommodate Lockheed Martin’s medium-lift Athena IIS rocket.
Are both Kodiak and Wallops MARS examples of something wrong with how launch pads are "insured"? - Ed Kyle
Can the Athena still launch from Cape Canaveral's Launch Complex 46? An example was the Lunar Prospector in 1998 and the FORMOSAT 1 Satellite in 1999.
I see. With that said, is Wallops Island LP-0B, Vandenberg SLC-8, or Vandenberg LC-576E available?LP-0B is where the Minotaurs launched from the East CoastSLC-8 was where the Minotaur launches began fromLC-576E was the home of the Taurus aka Minotaur-C
Quote from: longdrivechampion102 on 01/21/2015 10:00 pmI see. With that said, is Wallops Island LP-0B, Vandenberg SLC-8, or Vandenberg LC-576E available?LP-0B is where the Minotaurs launched from the East CoastSLC-8 was where the Minotaur launches began fromLC-576E was the home of the Taurus aka Minotaur-CTo begin, I would like to emphasize that SLC 46 is not that far from being returnable to service. The launch stand is stored nearby, for example, and the service tower is still there, but the place has been collecting dust and rust for 15 years.Of those you listed, I would expect SLC 8 and Pad 0B to be more compatible with Athena than SLC 576E. Athena and Minotaur (and Taurus) use mobile launch support equipment, designed from the outset to be setup and torn down. 576E used scaffolding rather than a fixed service tower, if I'm remembering correctly. Thus 8 and 0B and 46 should all be compatible. They all have service towers that look Athena capable. Work required of course. (SLC 8 hasn't seen a launch since 2011 I think.) - Ed Kyle