Posts: 16778 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted March 04, 2009 11:44 PM
More than 30 years after being erected atop launch pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the lightning mast that protected 53 space shuttles while they were readied for launch was removed from its 267 foot perch on March 3.
The 80-foot, Mercury-Redstone-rocket-sized fiberglas lightning mast was no longer needed after the recent installation of three new lightning towers around the pad in support of NASA's Constellation Program future use of the pad.
The removal of the mast marks the first major step in the deconstruction of 39B's fixed service structure, which served the space shuttle but will not be needed by the Ares launch vehicles.
According to NASA in response to an inquiry by collectSPACE, the fate of the mast has yet to be decided.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 16778 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted March 05, 2009 08:48 AM
Courtesy J.L. Pickering/RetroSpaceImages.com, here is a photo of the lightning mast prior to its arrival at Pad 39B in the late 1970s.
Given its size, shape and history, I could easily see the mast fitting in nicely at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Rocket Garden, or perhaps standing near the Shuttle Launch Experience, Explorer mock-up and ET/SRB stack. What would you do with it?
TRS Member
Posts: 487 From: Wellington, New Zealand Registered: Mar 2003
posted March 05, 2009 08:50 AM
I sense a launch pad lucite coming on sometime soon...
KSCartist Member
Posts: 1718 From: Titusville, FL USA Registered: Feb 2005
posted March 05, 2009 08:51 AM
I'm going to put it in my front yard as a flag pole.
cspg Member
Posts: 2011 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006
posted March 05, 2009 09:26 AM
Only one pad for both Ares I and V?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 16778 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted March 05, 2009 09:27 AM
Pad 39A will undergo a similar deconstruction after the completion of the space shuttle program. Pad 39B will be used to support the first Ares test flight, Ares I-X, scheduled for this July.
blue_eyes Member
Posts: 107 From: North Carolina, USA Registered: Jul 2005
posted March 05, 2009 11:24 AM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: What would you do with it?
My husband wants to set it up in the backyard, so we can use it as a tether ball pole. It would make for a very long game!
Ken Havekotte Member
Posts: 1358 From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard Registered: Mar 2001
posted March 05, 2009 02:39 PM
quote:Originally posted by TRS: I sense a launch pad lucite coming on sometime soon...
For the record, actually, NASA has already produced souvenirs from the lightning mast. In part, it reads, "The enclosed metal was stamped from a portion of Mobile Launcher 3 lightning mast. Certified by: Lee R. Scherer, Director, John F. Kennedy Space Center, NASA." There is also another version that was certified by Dick Smith, another KSC director who succeeded Scherer.
They're one of my favorite NASA-authorized pad relics as there isn't too much of anything around from the launch complex 39 area. There are 2 or 3 of them in my possession.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 16778 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted March 05, 2009 09:15 PM
quote:Originally posted by Ken Havekotte: ...was stamped from a portion of Mobile Launcher 3 lightning mast.
This raises a question that I was discussing with J.L. Pickering earlier today: is the lightning mast that was added to the top of the launch umbilical tower for the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project the same mast that was later installed atop the fixed service structure at Pad 39B?
According to NASA SP-4209 The Partnership: A History of the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, the mast used for ASTP was 25.6 meters (84 feet) tall.
According to NASA's website, Pad 39B's FSS was topped until recently by a mast 24.4 meters (80 feet) tall.
A photo (courtesy of RetroSpaceImages.com) of the mast, taken from the roof of the Vehicle Assembly Building during the ASTP rollout does show a different configuration at the top of the mast than the one shown in the photos of the recent removal.
Did a modification between the LUT and FSS use account for the 1.2 meter (4 foot) difference? Or were they different masts?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 16778 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted March 08, 2009 12:14 PM
The lightning mast has reportedly been cut into three segments in preparation for its removal from the pad.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 16778 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted March 10, 2009 09:54 AM
Yesterday, while at Pad 39B for an Ares I-X media briefing and tour, the three segments of the lightning mast was being removed by truck. NASA is disposing of the mast.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 16778 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted June 01, 2009 10:24 PM
NASA release
NASA's Shuttle Program Hands Over Launch Pad to Constellation
The May 31, 2009 transfer of Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida from the Space Shuttle Program to the Constellation Program is the next step in preparing the first flight test of the agency's next-generation spacecraft and launch system. The Constellation Program is developing new spacecraft -- including the Ares I and Ares V launch vehicles, the Orion crew capsule, and the Altair lunar lander -- to carry humans to the International Space Station, the moon and beyond.
Since the late 1960s, pad B has been instrumental in human spaceflight programs, such as Apollo, Skylab and the space shuttle. The pad originally was built for the Saturn V rockets to launch the Apollo capsules to the moon. In July 1975, the pad was modified to support space shuttle operations. The first space shuttle to lift off from pad B was Challenger in January 1986.
The handover took place Sunday after space shuttle Endeavour was moved to Launch Pad 39A. The ground operations team will finish modifying pad B for the Ares I-X rocket launch. Modifications will include removing the orbiter access arm and a section of the gaseous oxygen vent arm and installing access platforms and a vehicle stabilization system.
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 412 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted June 02, 2009 09:54 AM
Is the pad modifications mentioned above for Ares I-X only? I understand that the pad will have the rotating and fixed service structures removed and the support tower for Ares I will be attached to the Mobile Launch Platform (MLP) that is now under construction (see Ares I mobile launcher platform and tower).
Also, the current fixed service structure was created from the original Launch Umbilical Tower (LUT) used during the Apollo Program. Does anyone know what Apollo-era flights used this LUT? Pieces of that FSS/LUT would be a great lucite!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 16778 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted June 02, 2009 09:56 AM
Yes, the removal of the orbiter access arm and a section of the gaseous oxygen vent arm, as well as the addition of access platforms is only for the Ares I-X test flight. As you mentioned, the fixed and rotating service structures will be removed before Ares I flies from Pad 39B.
ASCAN1984 Member
Posts: 719 From: County Down, Nothern Ireland Registered: Feb 2002
posted June 02, 2009 02:43 PM
I just hope they take better care that what they took away from what was left after Apollo. Was terrible to see such wonderful hardware with such an amazing history just lying rusting for decades then being destroyed. What are the plans for the shuttle hardware that will not be used, e.g. the white room?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 16778 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted June 05, 2009 06:30 PM
My understanding is that the white room, orbiter access arm and a few other primary components of the fixed and rotating service structures will be preserved.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 16778 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted June 05, 2009 06:46 PM
On June 3, the oxygen vent hood, called the "beanie cap," and gaseous oxygen vent arm was removed from Launch Pad 39B's fixed service structure and lowered the 227 feet to the ground.
The gaseous oxygen vent arm would swing into position over the space shuttle's external tank and then lower a hood, called the "beanie cap", over the top of the tank. Heated gaseous nitrogen flowed into the hood to warm the liquid oxygen vent system at the top of the external tank. This heating action would prevent vapors at the vent opening from condensing into ice that could dislodge and damage the orbiter during launch.
The vent system arm is 80 feet (24.4 meters) long, 5 feet (1.5 meters) wide, and 8 feet (2.4 meters) high. The vent hood is 13 feet (4 meters) in diameter. The arm attached to the fixed service structure between the 207-foot (63-meter) and 227-foot (69-meter) levels.
Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 16778 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted June 05, 2009 06:57 PM
Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
Pad 39B as it appeared on June 3, 2009.
E2M Lem Man Member
Posts: 614 From: Los Angeles CA. USA Registered: Jan 2005
posted June 06, 2009 09:23 PM
Our own caps are off in tribute to the many services Pad 39B has accomplished in service to the shuttle program. Here comes Ares!
ASCAN1984 Member
Posts: 719 From: County Down, Nothern Ireland Registered: Feb 2002
posted June 07, 2009 05:11 AM
quote:Originally posted by E2M Lem Man: Our own caps are off in tribute to the many services Pad 39B has accomplished in service to the shuttle program.
I'll second that.
KSCartist Member
Posts: 1718 From: Titusville, FL USA Registered: Feb 2005
posted June 07, 2009 07:28 AM
I've heard that the orbiter access arm will be on display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
divemaster Member
Posts: 883 From: ridgefield, ct Registered: May 2002
posted June 07, 2009 10:38 PM
It would look great in my front yard, too.
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 412 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted June 11, 2009 08:35 AM
I have plenty of outdoor storage "space" and it would be an easy transport up I-95!
As far as the pad information I talked about earlier, this is what my research has come up with:
Pad 39 A has the ML-2 section and was used for Apollo 4, 9, 12, 14 and the Skylab workshop.
Pad 39B has the ML-3 and was used for Apollo 10, 13, 15, 16, and 17
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 16778 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted June 22, 2009 02:11 PM
On June 20, the orbiter access arm and its "white room" was removed from Launch Pad 39B's fixed service structure and lowered the 147 feet to the ground.
The lowermost arm, located 147 feet above the pad surface, the orbiter access arm allowed personnel -- including 53 astronaut crews -- to enter the shuttle's crew cabin.
The outer end of the access arm features an environmental chamber or "white room" that mates with the orbiter and holds six people.
The arm remained in the extended position until seven minutes, 24 seconds before launch to serve as an emergency escape route for the flight crew. It is 65 feet long, 5 feet wide, and 8 feet high, and could be mechanically or manually repositioned in about 15 seconds in the event it was needed.
Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 16778 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted June 22, 2009 02:16 PM
Like the "beanie cap" the preceded its removal, the access arm will be moved for display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
Voyager1975 Member
Posts: 188 From: Registered: Dec 2008
posted June 22, 2009 02:27 PM
I believe STS-51L was the first space shuttle mission to ever use launch pad 39B. So is that the same white room that has been in use since 1986?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 16778 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted June 22, 2009 02:33 PM
Yes, the STS-51L fallen crew was the first in 1986 to cross that orbiter access arm into the white room and board a space shuttle (Challenger) for their launch.
Fifty-two launches and 20 years later, Discovery's STS-116 crew became the last to cross the walkway before departing for space.
The interim crews (STS-26, 27, 29, 30, 28, 34, 33, 31, 41, 35, 37, 40, 49, 46, 47, 52, 54, 56, 57, 51, 58, 61, 62, 64, 66, 63, 70, 73, 72, 75, 76, 77, 78, 80, 81, 87, 90, 95, 96, 93, 103, 106, 97, 102, 104, 108, 110, 112, 114, 121, 115) included the astronauts who flew the maiden launch of Endeavour and the three Return To Flight missions flown on Discovery.
NavySpaceFan Member
Posts: 385 From: Norfolk, VA Registered: May 2007
posted June 22, 2009 02:57 PM
I hope that the white room is on its way to a museum somewhere.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 16778 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted June 22, 2009 03:03 PM
The white room, orbiter access arm and beanie cap will (eventually) join the exhibits at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
Greggy_D Member
Posts: 188 From: Michigan Registered: Jul 2006
posted June 22, 2009 06:15 PM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: ...and the three Return To Flight missions flown on Discovery.
Three Return to Flight missions?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 16778 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted June 22, 2009 06:46 PM
STS-26, STS-114 and STS-121 (NASA considers the latter two to both be RTF missions for the space shuttle fleet).
posted March 04, 2009 11:44 PM
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