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Commercial and US Government Launch Vehicles => ULA - Delta, Atlas, Vulcan => Topic started by: Liryc on 04/19/2011 05:13 pm

Title: Atlas V : how does the launcher stands on the mobile platform during transfer?
Post by: Liryc on 04/19/2011 05:13 pm

Hi all !

I'm found of model rockets and I'm trying to create a model of Atlas 5 rocket (80 inch tall) as well as the launch table.
That's the most tricky part even though I dont go into the details :)

So I was watching a video of the pre launch operations (see link below) and I was quite impressed by the "mobile launch platform".

At 1:10 minute, we can briefely see some sort of arms/masts that holds the launcher on the table, but it seems there are only 2 of them, one on the right, one on the left... (see photo attached)
Is that possible ? How does it stay stable during the transfer ?

They look a lot like the explosive bolts used for the Shuttle boosters (http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage11a/021028holddown) but it doesn't seem that stable here..
Plus it could touch the launcher when lifting off, what do you think?

Thanks for your help!

--
Video :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfvwoqT0-s8

Title: Re: Atlas V : how does the launcher stands on the mobile platform during transfer?
Post by: Downix on 04/19/2011 05:21 pm

Quote from: cyril_13 on 04/19/2011 05:13 pm

Hi all !

I'm found of model rockets and I'm trying to create a model of Atlas 5 rocket (80 inch tall) as well as the launch table.
That's the most tricky part even though I dont go into the details :)

So I was watching a video of the pre launch operations (see link below) and I was quite impressed by the "mobile launch platform".

At 1:10 minute, we can briefely see some sort of arms/masts that holds the launcher on the table, but it seems there are only 2 of them, one on the right, one on the left... (see photo attached)
Is that possible ? How does it stay stable during the transfer ?

They look a lot like the explosive bolts used for the Shuttle boosters (http://spaceflightnow.com/station/stage11a/021028holddown) but it doesn't seem that stable here..
Plus it could touch the launcher when lifting off, what do you think?

Thanks for your help!

--
Video :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfvwoqT0-s8

there is a third on the backside you can't see as well.  Those arms are pulling inward, with only the Atlas V keeping them out.  The moment the bolts are blown, they pull back into the MLP, so no chance of impact.

Title: Re: Atlas V : how does the launcher stands on the mobile platform during transfer?
Post by: Liryc on 04/19/2011 05:36 pm

Wow, cool!

Thanks for that quick reply.
I'm a bit new in these things and I didn't know that the systems on the ground were so complex. It looks as complex (in its way of course) as the launcher itself!!

Do you know if there is a video of that available on the internet?

I didn't know they could retract the arms like that, straight forward.
On Soyouz they have some sort of mass that swings the arms off the way and it seems a much easier approch..
Well, they maybe have some swinging system too, hidden in the MLP(?)

Thanks