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Author
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Topic: Ap11-KSC-69PC-241: Building in background?
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Paul78zephyr
Member Posts: 678
From: Hudson, MA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 03-29-2012 10:01 AM
  
In this picture there is a large building in the background (lower left). I would have assumed it to be the Vehicle Assembly Building as this is the only large building I'm aware of that close to Complex 39. But to my eye it just doesn't look right. Perhaps its the sun angle, I'm not sure. Can anyone say that is the VAB for certain? Also the caption for this picture says this is the rollout of Apollo 11 (AS-505) but how can you tell?  |
tetrox
Member Posts: 142
From: London England
Registered: Jan 2008
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posted 03-29-2012 10:31 AM
This is the Vertical Integration Building, built for assembly of the Titan III series of launch vehicles pads 40 and 41 during the 1960s. It's quite an imposing site on the horizon.Quite a nice view here. |
Paul78zephyr
Member Posts: 678
From: Hudson, MA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 03-29-2012 10:36 AM
OK. Thank you. After I posted I searched around and thought that may have been it but was not sure. That building does not show up in many pictures from complex 39. |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 2983
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 03-29-2012 11:23 AM
Actually, I think what you're seeing here is not the VIB, but the old Titan III Solid Motor Assembly Building (SMAB). It's located between the VIB and the old Titan III launch complexes. If you look closely, you can clearly see both the SMAB's high and low bay areas. |
Paul78zephyr
Member Posts: 678
From: Hudson, MA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 03-29-2012 11:58 AM
Also was it 'normal' for the vehicle to be rolled out with all that 'stuff' on the launch platform (looks like a trailer and some other ground support equipment)? |
tetrox
Member Posts: 142
From: London England
Registered: Jan 2008
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posted 03-29-2012 01:41 PM
Sorry, you are quite correct Ken, the VIB part of the same complex was demolished a number of years ago.I've always thought that these facilities were fascinating especially with the secrecy attributed to large military payloads and history with heavyweight interplanetary probes. I wonder if anyone could point me in the direction of photographs relating to the mid 60s readiness and launch of the Mockup Manned Orbiting Laboratory from this complex. There seem to be around half a dozen which do the rounds but wonder if there is a more comprehensive history. |
Jim Behling
Member Posts: 1488
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 03-29-2012 10:51 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Paul78zephyr:
Also was it 'normal' for the vehicle to be rolled out with all that 'stuff' on the launch platform (looks like a trailer and some other ground support equipment)?
Yep. I believe some of it is backup A/C |
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