Quote from: Coastal Ron on 05/12/2018 10:26 pmQuote from: BadgerLegs on 05/12/2018 08:50 pmQuote from: deruch on 05/12/2018 01:13 amEnclosing the tower would be a big change in how the tower acts in high winds (e.g. hurricanes; this is Florida, remember). There's more to consider than just if it would make maintenance cheaper/easier.Not at all. The FSS is built stronger than the VAB, and they don't worry about the VAB. The FSS would fail because of rust first. I don't think wind is their primary concern. It's the salt air, ultraviolet light, etc.And the siding would rip off first before the structure took much wind loads.I used to manage a hangar built for two C-130's. They didn't build it strong enough for tornado force winds, but it's held up to some pretty strong winds. That cladding isn't going to be thin siding like you see in standard industrial buildings. I think they have engineers to pick the right materials.
Quote from: BadgerLegs on 05/12/2018 08:50 pmQuote from: deruch on 05/12/2018 01:13 amEnclosing the tower would be a big change in how the tower acts in high winds (e.g. hurricanes; this is Florida, remember). There's more to consider than just if it would make maintenance cheaper/easier.Not at all. The FSS is built stronger than the VAB, and they don't worry about the VAB. The FSS would fail because of rust first. I don't think wind is their primary concern. It's the salt air, ultraviolet light, etc.And the siding would rip off first before the structure took much wind loads.
Quote from: deruch on 05/12/2018 01:13 amEnclosing the tower would be a big change in how the tower acts in high winds (e.g. hurricanes; this is Florida, remember). There's more to consider than just if it would make maintenance cheaper/easier.Not at all. The FSS is built stronger than the VAB, and they don't worry about the VAB. The FSS would fail because of rust first. I don't think wind is their primary concern. It's the salt air, ultraviolet light, etc.
Enclosing the tower would be a big change in how the tower acts in high winds (e.g. hurricanes; this is Florida, remember). There's more to consider than just if it would make maintenance cheaper/easier.
is the far side of the tower covered in any of the renders? if its only for blast protection you'd think they'd skip the leeward side?
Quote from: dorkmo on 05/16/2018 02:48 amis the far side of the tower covered in any of the renders? if its only for blast protection you'd think they'd skip the leeward side?It’s much easier to render and the focus is the rocket, not the steel structure. I don’t see this as an issue.
The fun thing is that the new "In between" level was revealed publically almost two years ago, yet almost nobody noticed it at the time.It was when SpaceX released two pieces of artwork detailing the launch of Red Dragon. One of them is a close-up of Falcon Heavy, carrying a Red Dragon, lifting off from LC-39A.The cladding that covers the FSS is, in that artwork, slightly transparent and reveals the structure of the FSS underneath the cladding.
I don’t see this as an issue.Enclosing the tower would create maintenance issues and hugely change the structural loads. It’s been there for 40 years, why change what’s not broken?
Reports of higher than normal crane activity at 39A per some people whom just went on a KSC tour.
Was it already installed (and they may be doing something to it) or does this mean they're just now installing it?
Image from Instagram yesterday of LC-39A, it looks like the slidewire escape platform on the FSS is being held up by a cranehttps://www.instagram.com/p/BjSEkkght1_/?taken-by=longlegstraveller
Is it just me or it looks like the new level between the two exisisting levels near the top is being built?
Quote from: biosehnsucht on 05/29/2018 02:14 amWas it already installed (and they may be doing something to it) or does this mean they're just now installing it?I was installed for and part of the Space Shuttle program. SpaceX will use it for manned Falcon 9 launches but needs to move it to a higher level on the FSS.
Quote from: smndk on 05/29/2018 07:25 amQuote from: biosehnsucht on 05/29/2018 02:14 amWas it already installed (and they may be doing something to it) or does this mean they're just now installing it?I was installed for and part of the Space Shuttle program. SpaceX will use it for manned Falcon 9 launches but needs to move it to a higher level on the FSS.Has it been moved yet? Any recent pictures?
Pad 39a and CAA tent/hangar from today's KSC tour. There were workers in the CAA tent doing something on the structure inside.No gators to be seen Loads of turtles though