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Author
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Topic: Launch Pad 39B deconstructed metal
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Rocket Chris
Member Posts: 342
From:
Registered: Nov 2009
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posted 10-06-2011 01:36 AM
   
I'm just curious to know if there is a possibility to get a tiny scrapped piece of metal taken from the deconstructed launch pad 39B. Does anyone know how to get a sample? Or does these scrapped metal rests also include the ITAR law? |
crash
Member Posts: 318
From: West Sussex, England
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 10-06-2011 02:45 AM
Personally, I think this is an opportunity missed by NASA. It would be an ideal way to 'share' with their many supporters a genuine piece of history. At a price, of course. Raises money, disposes of scrap for free and keeps the interested public happy. I do totally appreciate that there is probably a 'contaminant' issue but not all of it surely. |
Tykeanaut
Member Posts: 2212
From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 10-06-2011 09:19 AM
Well other pieces of launch gantry have been issued and sold and if encased in lucite I shouldn't think contamination would be an issue?I agree a golden opportunity missed to raise funds, awareness, and keep folks like us even happier. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 10-06-2011 09:30 AM
Other than the intact components set aside for the Smithsonian and NASA visitor centers, no material removed from Pad 39B during the deconstruction effort was permitted to be given or sold to the public. NASA's contract with LVI Environmental Services required that all material be recycled and specifically prohibited the sale (or otherwise transfer) of any metal from the towers as souvenirs, mementos or artifacts. NASA's pad leader cited International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) as the primary reason why the restrictions were placed on the contract. |
David Carey
Member Posts: 782
From:
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 10-06-2011 09:52 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
..NASA's pad leader cited International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) as the primary reason why the restrictions were placed on the contract.
With all due respect to the pad leader and/or other NASA officials behind this notion, I have to call this a red herring explanation. How a slice of metal tubing, a snippet of wire, or a nut and bolt in the wrong hands can be seen as a security risk is utterly beyond me.There is a chance to capture the imagination of many here at almost no cost, and NASA is letting it slip through their hands. Maybe Dave Scott (not the astronaut) can help them with some marketing wisdom. |
crash
Member Posts: 318
From: West Sussex, England
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 10-06-2011 11:42 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
NASA's pad leader cited International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) as the primary reason why the restrictions were placed on the contract.
Well, it's fair to say that there is a very strong whiff in the air when you read his reason.  Robert, I appreciate that you are purely the messenger. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 10-06-2011 11:57 AM
I don't think NASA is trying to deceive anyone in this regard. ITAR is, as currently defined, structured to be overly inclusive. The White House has been working to enact export control reform since President Obama took office. |
p51
Member Posts: 1642
From: Olympia, WA
Registered: Sep 2011
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posted 10-06-2011 09:35 PM
I have called the company that got all the scrap from the launch towers. They said they get calls all the time and have to tell everyone they cannot sell anything. Still, you know for sure their employees know what is what in the piles of twisted metal in their yard. If only you knew someone who worked there, you'd probably be able to get a piece...
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GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2474
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 10-07-2011 11:21 AM
quote:
Originally posted by p51:
... If only you knew someone who worked there, you'd probably be able to get a piece...
Here was one on eBay... |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 10-07-2011 11:28 AM
And if you believe that I've got a bridge to sell... in fact, that could have very well come from the bridge. (In all seriousness, any such sale could cost the company a chance at future NASA business, so were they to learn employees were stealing pieces...) |
fredtrav
Member Posts: 1673
From: Birmingham AL
Registered: Aug 2010
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posted 10-07-2011 12:40 PM
I don't doubt that it is possible came from the site. It is small enough to fit in a pocket. I doubt that there is much of a way to stop such thefts. A piece falls and gets pocketed. I am also sure this is not the only one out there. NASA could threaten to pull/not give the company any more contracts, but then the company could always come back and point out NASA's shortcomings in protecting their material. After all, according to NASA, Edgar Mitchell walked off with a whole camera and they did not know about it for 40 years. Or lunar dust, etc. I can see how this would fall under an arms treaty. Encase that item in lucite and if thrown at someone it could make a nice weapon. Would leave a nasty bruise. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 10-07-2011 12:51 PM
The demolition company signed a contract with NASA requiring that all material either be recycled or discarded. Any diversion from that would be a breach of contract. But legalities aside, the provenance supporting any such piece as having originated from the pad is weak at best. |
Rocket Chris
Member Posts: 342
From:
Registered: Nov 2009
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posted 10-08-2011 07:39 AM
...sad to hear that it is obviously not possible just to get a piece of scrap. So what about the stones from the crawler path... also ITAR protected?! Gee... NASA really isn't into fans. |
crash
Member Posts: 318
From: West Sussex, England
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 10-08-2011 08:12 AM
I'm hoping, and I'm certain that so is NASA, that they intend using the crawlerway again in the future.
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 10-08-2011 09:50 AM
In fact, an award-winning engineering study was just completed to certify the crawlerway for use with the Space Launch System. The team's more than two-year evaluation confirmed the crawlerway system would be able to support the weight of moving the agency's future heavy-lift rockets and potential commercial vehicles from the VAB to the launch pads. |
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