...That's not supposed to be a flame trench, it's supposed to be a concrete ramp up to the pad. The South-facing flame trench has been filled in. The render is inaccurate in showing the South flame trench as still there.
Quote from: whitelancer64 on 11/11/2015 03:52 pm...That's not supposed to be a flame trench, it's supposed to be a concrete ramp up to the pad. The South-facing flame trench has been filled in. The render is inaccurate in showing the South flame trench as still there.The south flame trench still appears to be there in the photo. I'm guessing it has been blocked off as previously discussed. The TE hydraulics would be housed there below the level of the pad apron. Of course the trench may still be filled in, but I doubt it.
This image is from an angle I had not seen before (from the NASA commercial crew presser) - but it looks like it is a few weeks old:EDIT - found a better version of the image!
It would be so wonderful if a photo, an extreme closeup of the flame trench and launch mount, etc. could be posted on site here.
Quote from: shuttlefan on 11/22/2015 02:01 amIt would be so wonderful if a photo, an extreme closeup of the flame trench and launch mount, etc. could be posted on site here. I agree; I want to see the water deluge system if it's installed already.
Quote from: Lars-J on 11/20/2015 08:40 pmThis image is from an angle I had not seen before (from the NASA commercial crew presser) - but it looks like it is a few weeks old:EDIT - found a better version of the image!Three images were added to the NASA Kennedy (PAO) photostream and CCP "album", link to the latter:https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasakennedy/albums/72157647244171004They're easier to find right now on the photostream / "all images" link since they were recently posted:https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasakennedy/Attached the other two here.
James Dean @flatoday_jdean 16m16 minutes agoPad 39A update: SpaceX in Jan. will start removing the shuttle-era Rotating Service Structure (RSS).
Most excellent. Dean also mentioned they'll be replacing the current Lightning mast with a newly designed "Y" shaped mast. Too bad they couldn't install an "X" shaped mast. Since it's been reported they intend to begin installing the Crew Access Arm as well, I wonder if they still need to add another level to the FSS?
Carol Scott of SpaceX says if they do manage to land the Falcon9 first stage they will use it as the test article for Pad39Ahttp://m.space.com/31248-spacex-may-try-land-based-rocket-landing.html?cmpid=514648
Quote from: johnnyhinbos01 on 12/02/2015 03:18 amCarol Scott of SpaceX says if they do manage to land the Falcon9 first stage they will use it as the test article for Pad39Ahttp://m.space.com/31248-spacex-may-try-land-based-rocket-landing.html?cmpid=514648Well, I don't think many of us expected they would go straight to reflying the very first stage landed...
Quote from: rpapo on 12/02/2015 10:13 amQuote from: johnnyhinbos01 on 12/02/2015 03:18 amCarol Scott of SpaceX says if they do manage to land the Falcon9 first stage they will use it as the test article for Pad39Ahttp://m.space.com/31248-spacex-may-try-land-based-rocket-landing.html?cmpid=514648Well, I don't think many of us expected they would go straight to reflying the very first stage landed...I did. I thought they were talking about taking the first landed stage to Spaceport America and reflying it to failure.
Quote from: mme on 12/02/2015 10:19 amQuote from: rpapo on 12/02/2015 10:13 amQuote from: johnnyhinbos01 on 12/02/2015 03:18 amCarol Scott of SpaceX says if they do manage to land the Falcon9 first stage they will use it as the test article for Pad39Ahttp://m.space.com/31248-spacex-may-try-land-based-rocket-landing.html?cmpid=514648Well, I don't think many of us expected they would go straight to reflying the very first stage landed...I did. I thought they were talking about taking the first landed stage to Spaceport America and reflying it to failure.By test article, do they mean flight article or would the stage be used for fit checks and GSE validations then shipped off to New Mexico?