SpaceX use of the SPIF (Spacecraft Processing and Integration Facility)

[Space OurSoul]

There was even an alternate me over there! 

Did he have a goatee?

[wannamoonbase]

How many integration cells are in the SPIF?

two and a holding cell

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.

[sghill]

How many integration cells are in the SPIF?

two and a holding cell

Is the holding suitable for incoming payloads, or completed and ready to go to the pad payloads?

It's for people.

[Jim]

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.

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.

[wannamoonbase]

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.

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?

[Jim]

Does 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 wouldn't 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.

[baldusi]

Does 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.

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?

[JasonAW3]

Originally, the Shuttle Payload Integration Facility and changed to Spacecraft Processing and Integration Facility after Challenger

Essentially a small VAB for smaller rockets?

[Jim]

Originally, the Shuttle Payload Integration Facility and changed to Spacecraft Processing and Integration Facility after Challenger

Essentially a small VAB for smaller rockets?

No, it is a spacecraft facility.

[Jim]

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?

Depends on how many.

[baldusi]

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?

Depends on how many.

You could be an economist: most answers are "it depends" 

[rpapo]

You could be an economist: most answers are "it depends" 

Certainly an economist with words.  He uses very few.

But seriously, if the question isn't precise, then the answer won't be precise either.

[russianhalo117]

AsiaSat-6 is now inside CCAFS and another a person says it was moved to a CCAFS processing facility yesterday and will be transferred to a processing cell today for inspection and checkout. AsiaSat-8 is about to move to SLC-40 so AsiaSat-6 is already in SPIF.

http://www.satnews.com/story.php?number=1179629582

[Prober]

You could be an economist: most answers are "it depends" 

Certainly an economist with words.  He uses very few.

it's not the quantity its the quality

[dsobin]

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.

[Jim]

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 am trying two other sources

[Jim]

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.

I will once I find an overview drawing of the facility

[Jim]

I found a video and did screen capture.
It is still missing a few things and some of names are different.
It is holding cell vs PLF holding cell (the facility was designed for shuttle payload).  The holding cell is for what ever is need to be "held"

Everything west of the integration cells is missing.
The south trailer rooms would be right below the equipment airlock (EAL).  Then to the north of that would be south equipment support room, then hurricane bracing area which provides access to the back side of the integration cells. It is a non clean area.  North of the HBA is the north equipment support room, followed by the north trailer room,  Also, the entrance areas, security room, offices (limited amounts on various floors) and garmenting room are missing from the north side of the  pic.

[kch]

You could be an economist: most answers are "it depends" 

Certainly an economist with words.  He uses very few.

Indeed. 

But seriously, if the question isn't precise, then the answer won't be precise either.

Precisely! 

[Mike_1179]

Essentially a small VAB for smaller rockets?

No, it is a spacecraft facility.

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).