Space News
space history and artifacts articles

Messages
space history discussion forums

Sightings
worldwide astronaut appearances

Resources
selected space history documents

  collectSPACE: Messages
  Mercury - Gemini - Apollo
  Flame Deflectors on Pad 34

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
profile | register | preferences | faq | search

next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   Flame Deflectors on Pad 34
hlbjr
Member

Posts: 481
From: Delray Beach Florida USA
Registered: Mar 2006

posted 03-18-2006 06:47 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for hlbjr   Click Here to Email hlbjr     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have had the good fortune to visit and examine Pad 34 at the Cape three times. I was amazed at the mass of the 2 flame deflectors on the north edge of the pad. Does anyone know how much each of them weighs? Also, what is the material which covers the deflectors (I couldn't tell)? I can't imagine the stress they go through during a launch between a million pounds of thrust hitting them and the tremendous temperatures they must endure. Does anyone think they could still be rolled along the tracks? Thanks for your help.

Ken Havekotte
Member

Posts: 2983
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001

posted 03-18-2006 12:12 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ken Havekotte   Click Here to Email Ken Havekotte     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
To answer your questions, the two flame deflectors at Pad 34 weight 150 tons each. They are in the shape of inverted V's that are 21 feet high, 43 feet long, and more than 32 feet wide. Both are constructed of steel trusses covered with a plate steel skin 1-inch thick, and were coated with a 4-inch layer of special heat-resistant ceramic. No, I don't think they can no longer be rolled on the tracks beaneth the launch pedestal. Both the decaying flame delectors and their railroad-like tracks are no longer in workable condition.

hlbjr
Member

Posts: 481
From: Delray Beach Florida USA
Registered: Mar 2006

posted 03-19-2006 07:19 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for hlbjr   Click Here to Email hlbjr     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Ken, Thanks for your good help. I am thoroughly enjoying this board. I am curious, since you are right there next to the Cape, are there ever arranged visits to the older pads by some of our group here? I would really love to get some new photos of Pads 5/6, 14, 19, & 34. Thanks for your insight.

Harvey Brown

hlbjr
Member

Posts: 481
From: Delray Beach Florida USA
Registered: Mar 2006

posted 03-26-2006 08:37 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for hlbjr   Click Here to Email hlbjr     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I found this link on the photo tour site of the old Cape facilities:
http://www.robsv.com/cape/c34s3.html

Note it says one of the blast deflectors was a 60 degree angle and the other was an 80 degree angle. Which turned out to be prefereable? Were both used and if so by which launches?

All times are CT (US)

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Close Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  Post A Reply
Hop to:

Contact Us | The Source for Space History & Artifacts

Copyright 2020 collectSPACE.com All rights reserved.


Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.47a





advertisement