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Forum:Space Shuttles - Space Station
Topic:Pad 39A: Slidewire baskets slide into history
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At Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the seven slidewire baskets travel down to the ground for the final time after being released by technicians from the 195-foot level.

The system of seven slidewire baskets at launch pads A and B provided an escape route for astronauts and personnel inside the orbiter or on the orbiter access arm. The baskets are suspended from slidewires that extend from the pad's Fixed Service Structure to a landing zone 1,200 feet to the west. Each basket could hold up to three people.

A braking system catch net and drag chain slowed and then halted the baskets sliding down the wire at approximately 55 miles per hour in about half a minute.

Hart SastrowardoyoI'm hoping that either an actual basket or a replica will make its way to a museum, where people can climb in the thing, even if they can't slide down in it.

How far off the ground are the baskets when they stop? And how do the astronauts get out of the basket? Have they practiced in full LES getting out of the basket and running to an M-113?

Robert Pearlman
quote:
Originally posted by Hart Sastrowardoyo:
I'm hoping that either an actual basket or a replica will make its way to a museum...
My understanding is that originally, NASA (through its partnership with the GSA) had awarded the baskets to museums but then decided to retain them for future use.
SkythingsBefore the disassembly of 39A they released the emergency baskets one last time. I think NASA missed the boat with an opportunity to charge space tourists $5000 each for a ride. What a ride it would have been.

Editor's note: Threads merged.

Jim BehlingNASA wouldn't be able to keep the money.

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