Here is the SMAB, the SPIF is located in the west side.
SpaceX had to get a good deal on using the SPIF. I cant see them using it otherwise. Compared to how they processed Dragon before in the hanger at SLC-40, there seems to be way more infrastructure in the SPIF than they need -which would just cost more to maintain.
Jimthanks for the follow up posts ..saves me from doing the research. Learning stuff every day on here!!How long would it take to process the dragon there? Was surprised how close it was to slc-40jb
Ah, so SpaceX is using the SPIF for processing Dragon, which let's them focus their building next to SLC-40 for just Falcon related activities.
Which means they have to transport the Dragon back over to SLC-40 somehow - on a flatbed?
Quote from: jabe on 04/19/2014 09:43 pmJimthanks for the follow up posts ..saves me from doing the research. Learning stuff every day on here!!How long would it take to process the dragon there? Was surprised how close it was to slc-40jbCould you provide a map?
Dragon and its trunk appear to be mated in the SPIF image. Are they subsequently transported in this mated configuration to SLC 40? Vertical or horizontal during transport? - Ed Kyle
Quote from: Roy_H on 04/19/2014 10:11 pmQuote from: jabe on 04/19/2014 09:43 pmJimthanks for the follow up posts ..saves me from doing the research. Learning stuff every day on here!!How long would it take to process the dragon there? Was surprised how close it was to slc-40jbCould you provide a map?https://maps.google.com/?ll=28.543317,-80.590824&spn=0.002302,0.004128&t=h&z=19
images from previous Dragon/Falcon matings.
Satellite Processing and Integration FacilitySolid Motor Assembly Building
How many integration cells are in the SPIF?
Any word on how much SpaceX is paying for the use of this building? Or is it just a "you pay the upkeep" type of arrangement, like with Pad 39A?
Quote from: Lars_J on 04/20/2014 06:49 pmAny word on how much SpaceX is paying for the use of this building? Or is it just a "you pay the upkeep" type of arrangement, like with Pad 39A?I believe it would be like 39A. The NRO is now using the EPF.
Here is a integration cell being used for STS-44, DSP on an IUS
What's the other tall building just to the north on Titan III rd?
Quote from: Jim on 04/19/2014 08:59 pmHere is a integration cell being used for STS-44, DSP on an IUSThose technician's in those clean room suits sure do look like Ninjas, talk about security.Thanks Jim for sharing all this cool spaceflight photos.
I am still unclear on a couple of points. Does anyone else use the SPIF? Or will SpaceX be the only user? Jim says the NRO is now using the EPF, so was this facility mainly used for national security payloads before and they no longer have a use for it? Thanks.
So the SMAB became the SPIF?
Back in the day, when I worked at KSC, I knew vaguely that this all existed, but it still took my breath away to finally see photos of it years later. It was an entire parallel classified universe, not only of the big test stands but of the people. There was even an alternate me over there! - Ed Kyle
I have all the drawings for the SPIF. There is one problem. Whoever "packaged" the drawings onto the CD used the same reference number for the index of the drawings and the overview drawing. So in setting up the CD, the overview drawing was deleted. I am looking for alternative sources for the drawing. The rest of the drawings have no context for those unfamiliar with the SPIF without this overview drawing
There was even an alternate me over there!
Quote from: RonM on 04/20/2014 05:57 pmHow many integration cells are in the SPIF?two and a holding cell
Quote from: Jim on 04/20/2014 06:17 pmQuote from: RonM on 04/20/2014 05:57 pmHow many integration cells are in the SPIF?two and a holding cellIs the holding suitable for incoming payloads, or completed and ready to go to the pad payloads?
Is the holding suitable for incoming payloads, or completed and ready to go to the pad payloads?Having 2 integration cells is certainly huge for process flow. It takes work out of the site hanger and lets them do two times that away from the pad. That explains how they can schedule the current surge in flight rate.
Quote from: wannamoonbase on 07/31/2014 11:53 amIs the holding suitable for incoming payloads, or completed and ready to go to the pad payloads?Having 2 integration cells is certainly huge for process flow. It takes work out of the site hanger and lets them do two times that away from the pad. That explains how they can schedule the current surge in flight rate.The transfer aisle, holding cell and even the canister airlock can hold either incoming or ready payloads. However, the canister airlock would be more suited for ready payloads and the transporter airlock would be for only incoming.
Does that mean a total of 4 payloads could be in the building at one time?
Quote from: wannamoonbase on 07/31/2014 12:49 pmDoes that mean a total of 4 payloads could be in the building at one time?Wouldn't be able to move around much and not much space for GSE (there are only two trailer rooms) and limited office space for workers. Also depends on total propellant quantities and ordnance. Also, it would have any room to bring in fairings and work on them. Encapsulation was likely done in the transfer aisle. Dragon is also processed in here. I would say two in work and one ready to go to the pad as the max.
Originally, the Shuttle Payload Integration Facility and changed to Spacecraft Processing and Integration Facility after Challenger
Quote from: Jim on 04/20/2014 03:22 pmOriginally, the Shuttle Payload Integration Facility and changed to Spacecraft Processing and Integration Facility after ChallengerEssentially a small VAB for smaller rockets?
Do a payload like Orbcomm's 11 satellites require extra ground floor? Or because they are small and identical is the same like a big one?
Quote from: baldusi on 07/31/2014 01:36 pmDo a payload like Orbcomm's 11 satellites require extra ground floor? Or because they are small and identical is the same like a big one?Depends on how many.
You could be an economist: most answers are "it depends"
Quote from: baldusi on 07/31/2014 03:56 pmYou could be an economist: most answers are "it depends" Certainly an economist with words. He uses very few.
I take it you have not found an alternative source for the drawing. That's a pity. Anyways, thanks for the interesting info and pictures.
I find all of this SPIF info fascinating. If anyone would like to provide some good overview writeup of how the spacecraft flow works and the features of the SPIF, I'd love to read about it.
But seriously, if the question isn't precise, then the answer won't be precise either.
Quote from: baldusi on 07/31/2014 01:36 pmEssentially a small VAB for smaller rockets?No, it is a spacecraft facility.
Essentially a small VAB for smaller rockets?
So what are some of the differences between processing a spacecraft and processing a launch vehicle? This might be a horribly broad or naive question, but I think some of us get hung up because there seems to be big differences between what you need to do to get something to go into space (vehicle) and what you need to do to get something to operate in space (spacecraft).
Jim, Do you know if the SMAB High Bay and IUS (Inertial Upper Stage) bay is used for anything? If not do you think they could be converted to Spacecraft Processing and Integration Facilities as well or it be better to have clean design?
How big are those internal doors? I remember ATV videos and there was like 5cm clearance to each side.
Can add this pic. The two rails in the cell are where shuttle payloads would have attached for checkout. So the distance between them is around 16 feet.
The SPIF exists in the SMAB because it was cheaper to use part of an existing building. The canister airlock and the PHF exist because of using an existing building, it was not able to accept the NASA canister and so the payload had to be brought out to the canister. The facility is now entering its 4th decade of service, I would say that the taxpayer's got their money's worth out of it (which was less than $200M (maybe $150M) if I recall)
……. it's a building the likes of which you would never see built. It is most definitely awe inspiring....
So probably way off, but any chance SpaceX will use the rest of the SMAB to store stages while waiting for the hangars at LC39/41 to clear? I know they used the DMCO/Hangar AO for Falcon 1, but 1.1 is too big now. Edit: Verified some facts http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=32609.15
Can I assume the entire SPIF has a clean room environment? What class? Do we know if SpaceX is responsible for all of the operations in the building?Does the S/C owner typically "move in" during processing of their S/C and do the prep work themselves? Does the launch provider ever do that kind of work? I assume integration is a shared effort. We spend a lot of forum bandwidth learning about rockets. I think it's time we all learn more about the spacecraft and the processing that goes into making them ready for launch.
Quote from: padrat on 08/04/2014 10:09 pm……. it's a building the likes of which you would never see built. It is most definitely awe inspiring.... You need to see the EPF. Maybe you may eventually support missions from there.
I will try to tally the launches that passed through the facility.
SES-8, Asiasat
I went through the thread (sorry if I was too fast and missed something) and didn't catch if the propellant filling of those commercial spacecraft were performed within the SPIF, or if operations were limited to handling/integration atop the launcher.
What is the business model for payload processing? Does the s/c owner or contractor pay SpaceX for use of theSPIF to process their spacecraft. Is that effort part of the integration and encapsulation effort and considered included in basic launch cost (as SpaceX defines it)?Is there reason to believe that SpaceX is billing for this any differently than any other launch provider? I'm curious because SpaceX publishes their basic launch cost, so I wonder if they then separately bill for any of the s/c processing.My current curiosity is about how this is done for commercial payloads. Previous posts in other threads indicate that the military does things differently.
Quote from: dsobin on 08/14/2014 06:15 pmWhat is the business model for payload processing? Does the s/c owner or contractor pay SpaceX for use of theSPIF to process their spacecraft. Is that effort part of the integration and encapsulation effort and considered included in basic launch cost (as SpaceX defines it)?Is there reason to believe that SpaceX is billing for this any differently than any other launch provider? I'm curious because SpaceX publishes their basic launch cost, so I wonder if they then separately bill for any of the s/c processing.My current curiosity is about how this is done for commercial payloads. Previous posts in other threads indicate that the military does things differently.It is an additional charge and not included in the basic launch service price.
Quote from: Jim on 08/14/2014 06:17 pmQuote from: dsobin on 08/14/2014 06:15 pmWhat is the business model for payload processing? Does the s/c owner or contractor pay SpaceX for use of theSPIF to process their spacecraft. Is that effort part of the integration and encapsulation effort and considered included in basic launch cost (as SpaceX defines it)?Is there reason to believe that SpaceX is billing for this any differently than any other launch provider? I'm curious because SpaceX publishes their basic launch cost, so I wonder if they then separately bill for any of the s/c processing.My current curiosity is about how this is done for commercial payloads. Previous posts in other threads indicate that the military does things differently.It is an additional charge and not included in the basic launch service price.Doesn't almost any payload require SOME processing? I kinda feel like the guy at the car dealer who thought he understood the price but then optional (but really... required) extras appeared before he drove out. Thanks for any light you can shed!
Doesn't almost any payload require SOME processing? I kinda feel like the guy at the car dealer who thought he understood the price but then optional (but really... required) extras appeared before he drove out. Thanks for any light you can shed!
Let's add these pics
This is probably a pretty ignorant question, and it's also off topic, but I've been wondering why it looks like the satellite is covered with little strips of tape? What is that and what is it for?Thanks.
if you closely on the first one the shuttle payload locks for processing are still there.on the second on the left it looks like removed processing platforms and wall so did one cell get disassembled?Jim since you would probably know, what was the last shuttle payload processed in each of the cells.
Quote from: Jim on 08/04/2014 07:29 pmI will try to tally the launches that passed through the facility. STS 51-C, 51-J, 27, 28, 33, 36, 38, 44, 53Syncom IV-XCentaur G' for GalileoAtlas II AC-101 DSCS III B-14, AC-104 DSCS III B-9, AC- 109, 157, 162, 167Atlas V AV-009, 015, 023Delta IV D-239, 337, 351, 353, 360Titan IV K-10, 21, B-32, 41, 35, 38 and maybe 5-10 more. Don't know about the later DSP'sSpacex CRS-2, SES-8, Asiasat
Sorry to bring an old thread back, but the SPIF ICD is currently on e-bay and I'm grabbing some pics...ICD-SPIF-20047
Quote from: chapi on 08/14/2014 03:07 pmI went through the thread (sorry if I was too fast and missed something) and didn't catch if the propellant filling of those commercial spacecraft were performed within the SPIF, or if operations were limited to handling/integration atop the launcher.Prop loading would be in the SPIF. Astrotech would only support within their own facilities. Either way, typically the spacecraft contractor loads the propellant into its own spacecraft.
