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  Constellation: Ares - Orion - Altair
  Ares I mobile launcher platform and tower

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Author Topic:   Ares I mobile launcher platform and tower
Robert Pearlman
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posted May 09, 2008 01:15 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
NASA release
NASA Awards Contract for Ares I Mobile Launcher

NASA's Kennedy Space Center has awarded a contract to Hensel Phelps of Orlando, Fla., for the construction of the Ares I mobile launcher for the Constellation Program. Ares I is the rocket that will transport the Orion crew exploration vehicle, its crew and cargo to low Earth orbit. The contract includes an option for an additional Ares I mobile launcher. It is a firm fixed-price contract with a value of $263,735,000, if all options are exercised.

The mobile launcher will support the Ares I and the vehicle's associated ground support equipment. It will be used in the assembly, testing and servicing of the Ares I at existing Kennedy facilities. The mobile launcher will transport the Ares I rocket to the launch pad and provide ground support for launches. The mobile launcher consists of the main support structure that comprises the base, tower and facility ground support systems, which include power, communications, conditioned air, water for cooling, wash-down, and ignition over-pressure protection.

Hensel Phelps will supply all labor, materials and equipment necessary for construction of the Ares I mobile launcher. Ground support equipment, such as umbilicals, propellant and gases, instrumentation, controls and communications, necessary to support the Ares I rocket will be provided and installed under a separate contract or contracts.

The tower of the mobile launcher will have multiple platforms for personnel access and will be approximately 390 feet tall. Construction will take place at the mobile launcher park site area located north of Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly Building at the space center in Florida.

Robert Pearlman
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posted February 12, 2009 09:16 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Trestles and girders for a new mobile launcher arrive by barge February 12 at the Launch Complex 39 area turn basin of NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

The new launcher will be lighter than space shuttle mobile launcher platforms so that the crawler-transporter can pick up the added load of the 345-foot tower and taller Ares I rocket.

When the structural portion of the new mobile launcher is complete, umbilicals, access arms, communications equipment and command and control equipment will be installed.


Photo credit: NASA

Robert Pearlman
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posted February 14, 2009 12:06 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote


Photo credit: NASA

Robert Pearlman
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posted March 21, 2009 02:40 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote


Photo credit: NASA

Robert Pearlman
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posted April 24, 2009 09:29 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Photographed on April 18:


Photo credit: collectSPACE

Robert Pearlman
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posted June 02, 2009 09:50 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Construction continues behind the Vehicle Assembly Building of the new Ares I mobile launcher platform and 345-foot launch umbilical tower. Photographs taken between May 8 and May 14.


Photo credit: NASA


Photo credit: collectSPACE

Robert Pearlman
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posted July 10, 2009 11:30 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Photographs taken on July 1:


Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

Robert Pearlman
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posted October 18, 2009 01:36 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Progress continues on the construction of a new mobile launcher for the Constellation Program with the positioning of a second section of the support tower into place on October 15.

Installation of the first section was on September 24.

The tower will have multiple platforms for personnel access and be approximately 345 feet tall.


Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

Robert Pearlman
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posted October 31, 2009 06:47 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
On October 27, a crane lowered the third section of the tower for the new mobile launcher into place atop the growing structure.

Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

Robert Pearlman
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posted November 10, 2009 10:51 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Progress update:


Credit: Francis French


Credit: NASA/Jim Grossman


Credit: NASA/Jim Grossman


Credit: NASA/Jim Grossman

Robert Pearlman
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posted November 13, 2009 04:46 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
On November 12, 2009, a crane lowered a fourth tower section onto the three sections already secured to the new mobile launcher.


Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

cspg
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posted November 13, 2009 11:55 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for cspg   Click Here to Email cspg     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Why is a launcher platform and tower being built when the future of that particular rocket is in doubt? Is it because contract money has been spent? It may be stupid question but it's somewhat hard to reconcile the pictures on this topic and the articles about other launcher designs than Ares 1 being considered. It reminds me of SLC-6 at Vandenberg.

Robert Pearlman
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posted November 14, 2009 03:16 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The answer is simple: until directed otherwise by the President and Congress, the plans as they exist to develop, support and launch Ares I continue.

cspg
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posted November 14, 2009 08:49 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for cspg   Click Here to Email cspg     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Okay, makes sense.

If you're optimistic, this will be useful hardware. If not, well, marine life off the Florida coast will have a brand new playground!

Gordon Reade
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posted November 20, 2009 06:19 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Gordon Reade     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'm looking forward to seeing that big beauty topped out. What thrill that will be.

Robert Pearlman
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posted December 01, 2009 04:42 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
On November 30, 2009, a crane positioned the fifth tower segment onto the four segments already secured to the new mobile launcher, or ML, being constructed to support the Constellation Program.

Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

Robert Pearlman
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posted December 15, 2009 09:02 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
On December 13, 2009, the sixth tower segment was secured to the new mobile launcher.

Credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

Gordon Reade
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posted December 17, 2009 06:54 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Gordon Reade     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks for posting the great photos. What I find interesting is that this launch tower looks so similar to the ones built for the Saturn V. Did NASA use the same technical drawings? What will the final height be? Will it be as tall as a Saturn V tower? I was very sorry when the original Saturn towers were disassembled, but now it seems that I’ll get to see one after all.

Mercury7
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posted December 21, 2009 04:47 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Mercury7   Click Here to Email Mercury7     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Wow, they have added a lot since I saw it for the STS-129 launch. It seems stupid if this was not built to be configurable for either the Ares I or V. It was just a waste of tax payers' money and short sighted if it can't be modified.

328KF
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posted December 21, 2009 08:01 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for 328KF   Click Here to Email 328KF     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Maybe when the Administration cancels Ares-I we can just post these photos in reverse order over several weeks' time.

Robert Pearlman
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posted December 22, 2009 11:44 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
On December 21, 2009, the seventh tower segment was added atop the new mobile launcher. When completed, the tower will be about 345 feet tall.


Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

Jay Chladek
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posted December 23, 2009 03:22 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jay Chladek   Click Here to Email Jay Chladek     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Mercury7:
Wow, they have added a lot since I saw it for the STS-129 launch. It seems stupid if this was not built to be configurable for either the Ares I or V. It was just a waste of tax payers' money and short sighted if it can't be modified.
This is just the MLP and tower for Ares I, not the whole pad. Plus, Ares V hasn't even left the drawing board yet while Ares I based hardware is in the testing stages. Ares V is also going to require a bit more of a support structure for it. As such, it makes no sense at this time to design a MLP that can support both rockets when the requirements for the second rocket haven't been fully set yet.

The way I see it, assuming both boosters fly then the smart money would have the fixed support structures at Pads 39A and B capable of supporting both with the MLPs being different. Although admittedly they will probably modify Pad 39B just to support Ares I, while 39A will support Ares V exclusively. Of course there is some risk in that if a booster were to have a serious accident while on the pad and running the risk of damaging the one pad needed to support launch operations for THAT rocket. However, if you look at the other pads at KSC, the other companies these days seem to have only one pad each to support their launch operations.

Robert Pearlman
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posted December 23, 2009 08:55 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Jay Chladek:
...fixed support structures at Pads 39A and B capable of supporting both with the MLPs being different.
Under the plans for Ares I and Ares V, there are no fixed service structures other than a railway for a crew escape system (dubbed the "roller coaster") for its resemblance, and lightning towers erected around the pads.

Should Ares I and Ares V not fly, but another heavy-lift launcher be chosen, it may be possible to modify or reuse parts from this assembly to support its design.

Robert Pearlman
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posted January 13, 2010 05:30 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
On January 8, 2010, the eighth tower segment was added to the new mobile launcher.


Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

Robert Pearlman
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posted January 22, 2010 09:27 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
On January 19, 2010, the ninth tower segment was added.

Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

apolloprojeckt
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posted January 22, 2010 10:49 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for apolloprojeckt   Click Here to Email apolloprojeckt     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It looks great these photos with progress, has NASA bigger and higher crane trucks? It looks that this is the max of the crane...

Jay Chladek
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posted January 22, 2010 01:20 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jay Chladek   Click Here to Email Jay Chladek     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'm sure they'll come up with something. They had to do something similar when they built the Saturn V towers back in the 1960s, and shuttle involved moving a portion of those towers off the MLPs and putting them fixed at the pads. So NASA and its contractors are no strangers to building large structures.

Apollo Redux
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posted January 22, 2010 09:18 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Apollo Redux   Click Here to Email Apollo Redux     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Regardless was happens with the Ares I booster, I'd like to take the time to thank you for always taking the time to post these photos.

I've never see as many, and in such variety, as those that I on this site. They are very much appreciated.

Robert Pearlman
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posted January 28, 2010 10:03 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
A steel worker signs a signature plate that will be placed on the tenth and final tower section of a new mobile launcher. The plate bears the names of the workers who helped construct the tower.

Credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
Steel workers prepare a live, potted kumquat tree for a "topping out" ceremony to take place when the tenth and final tower section of a new mobile launcher is hoisted onto the tower later this week. In ancient Scandinavian society, the placement of an evergreen tree on a building's ridge pole signaled to all who helped with its construction that the celebration of its completion would begin.

Credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

Robert Pearlman
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posted January 28, 2010 06:39 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
On Jan. 28, a crane gently lowered the tenth and final tower segment onto the new mobile launcher, completing the stacking of the 345 foot tall structure.


Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

Gordon Reade
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posted January 28, 2010 07:24 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Gordon Reade     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Fantastic!

328KF
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posted January 28, 2010 11:26 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for 328KF   Click Here to Email 328KF     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Fantastic, but in reality truly sad. It now looks like they got it done just in time to take it all apart.

astro-nut
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posted January 29, 2010 11:28 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for astro-nut   Click Here to Email astro-nut     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
JUST BEAUTIFUL!! Now we need a rocket/spacecraft to launch from it. What an awesome sight it would be!!

Robert Pearlman
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posted January 31, 2010 09:12 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
More photographs of the completed 345-foot tower, including the view from the top.

Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller


Credit: NASA/Jim Grossman

tegwilym
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posted January 31, 2010 09:56 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for tegwilym   Click Here to Email tegwilym     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Nice. Even better that I'll get a chance to see that in person next week. I just hope there is a rocket attached to it someday, but we'll know more tomorrow.

Hopefully, not similar to Homer Simpson's "Escalator to nowhere".

ringo67
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posted February 01, 2010 01:01 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for ringo67   Click Here to Email ringo67     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I don't know how close I'll get to the VAB when I'm down there in March. Is it visible from the Press Site?

Rick Mulheirn
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posted February 01, 2010 03:28 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rick Mulheirn   Click Here to Email Rick Mulheirn     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The launch platform is directly behind the OPF and VAB as viewed from the Press site. The VAB will probably obscure your view but you do get a good view if you go on one of the visitor tour buses...

ringo67
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posted February 03, 2010 01:33 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for ringo67   Click Here to Email ringo67     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks. That's what I thought. I should be able to see it, though, as I definitely plan on taking the tours.

Apollo Redux
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posted February 03, 2010 02:30 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Apollo Redux   Click Here to Email Apollo Redux     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
If it should come to pass that the Ares V heavy-lift booster is continued (development), can this gantry be used (albeit with minor modifications)? Or is it strictly applicable to Ares I?

Robert Pearlman
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posted February 03, 2010 03:39 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Ares V, to the best of my knowledge, needs a larger mobile launcher platform base, and a larger tower, but I should be able to get a more definitive answer when I am at Kennedy this weekend.

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