Author Topic: SLS Mobile Launcher debut trip to Pad 39B - November 16, 2011  (Read 67247 times)

Online Kasponaut

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Don't know if anyone has seen it, but spaceflightnow.com has live video of the roll out ;) NICE!

Kasper
« Last Edit: 11/16/2011 02:12 pm by nathan.moeller »

Offline lucspace

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...while Ustream does not carry NASA live anymore?!

Offline Mapperuo

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...while Ustream does not carry NASA live anymore?!

Their Ustream HD feed works fine here, But they aren't showing the move live (due to the duration issue I guess) will be highlights shown on their Video File.
- Aaron

Offline NYC777

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No that's a Shuttle MLP.  The Ares 1 has a launch pedestal on the ML.  there is to be a 2nd one that is placed right next to the ML.

Show me a picture.  I had no idea there was a second one.

Here's a pic with the red arrow pointing to the second launch pedestal.

Offline Mapperuo

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Progressing!
- Aaron

Offline nathan.moeller

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No that's a Shuttle MLP.  The Ares 1 has a launch pedestal on the ML.  there is to be a 2nd one that is placed right next to the ML.

Show me a picture.  I had no idea there was a second one.

Here's a pic with the red arrow pointing to the second launch pedestal.

Ooooooh I see what you mean.  The way you said it made it sound like there was a second platform entirely.  Now I see :)  Thanks for the photo.  I imagine that will come in handy when they re-fit it for SLS.
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Offline NYC777

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No that's a Shuttle MLP.  The Ares 1 has a launch pedestal on the ML.  there is to be a 2nd one that is placed right next to the ML.

Show me a picture.  I had no idea there was a second one.

Here's a pic with the red arrow pointing to the second launch pedestal.

Ooooooh I see what you mean.  The way you said it made it sound like there was a second platform entirely.  Now I see :)  Thanks for the photo.  I imagine that will come in handy when they re-fit it for SLS.

But is this platform specific to Ares?

Offline nathan.moeller

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No that's a Shuttle MLP.  The Ares 1 has a launch pedestal on the ML.  there is to be a 2nd one that is placed right next to the ML.

Show me a picture.  I had no idea there was a second one.

Here's a pic with the red arrow pointing to the second launch pedestal.

Ooooooh I see what you mean.  The way you said it made it sound like there was a second platform entirely.  Now I see :)  Thanks for the photo.  I imagine that will come in handy when they re-fit it for SLS.

But is this platform specific to Ares?

Right now, yes.  The launch mount on the tower is for a single SRB design (Ares I design).  They'll have to mod it for two SRBs and the SLS core stage engines.
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Online DaveS

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No that's a Shuttle MLP.  The Ares 1 has a launch pedestal on the ML.  there is to be a 2nd one that is placed right next to the ML.

Show me a picture.  I had no idea there was a second one.

Here's a pic with the red arrow pointing to the second launch pedestal.

Ooooooh I see what you mean.  The way you said it made it sound like there was a second platform entirely.  Now I see :)  Thanks for the photo.  I imagine that will come in handy when they re-fit it for SLS.

But is this platform specific to Ares?

Right now, yes.  The launch mount on the tower is for a single SRB design (Ares I design).  They'll have to mod it for two SRBs and the SLS core stage engines.
I don't think they'll use launch mounts for SLS. It will be stack directly on the ML like Saturn/Shuttle.
"For Sardines, space is no problem!"
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Offline nathan.moeller

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I don't think they'll use launch mounts for SLS. It will be stack directly on the ML like Saturn/Shuttle.

Could be.  It will be very interesting to see how they do it.  I'm just glad this tower will still be used.
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Offline NYC777

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I would think that they would have to remove the Ares launch mount and then widen the opening for SLS.  I heard the Ares opening is 20' x 20' and they have to make it 60' x 20'.

Offline edkyle99

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Captures from KSC video feeds.

The last time an all-new ML rolled at KSC was, what, 1965-66-ish?

 - Ed Kyle
« Last Edit: 11/16/2011 02:44 pm by edkyle99 »

Offline nathan.moeller

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I would think that they would have to remove the Ares launch mount and then widen the opening for SLS.  I heard the Ares opening is 20' x 20' and they have to make it 60' x 20'.

Not sure on the numbers (I've never looked them up) but they'll definitely have to widen it.  Gotta fit the SRBs and the opening for the core stage main engines.
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Offline nathan.moeller

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Larry Sullivan (NSF Photographer) and other media personnel are on their way to the public viewing gantry for photos
« Last Edit: 11/16/2011 02:41 pm by nathan.moeller »
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Offline spectre9

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NASA SLS animations have the full tower still attached to the pad.

Offline nathan.moeller

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NASA SLS animations have the full tower still attached to the pad.

The tower won't change much, if at all.  It's the base that will need to be modified.
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Offline NYC777

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Yeah the base is going to be heavily modified and I would think would have to be structurally reinforced as it is a heavier rocket.

Offline spectre9

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Assume they are doing this so they know exactly how the mods will line up with the pad.

Offline rdale

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Assume they are doing this so

No need to assume ;) Great article in the very first post of this thread, and even more detail in L2.

Offline edkyle99

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