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Author
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Topic: Modifying the VAB to support Constellation
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 50516
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-07-2008 11:06 AM
   
The Vehicle Assembly Building's high bay 3 is undergoing minor changes to handle the Ares I-X rocket. The new vehicle is about 150 feet taller than the shuttle orbiter, so bigger changes will be needed for the final Ares I design. Work platforms similar to those used in Apollo will give workers the access they need to stack the pieces and process the rocket for launch. On June 26, Platform C was removed from high bay 3 to allow refurbishment of the VAB for the Ares 1-X vehicle. The platform will be demolished.  
After the shuttle fleet retires, high bay 1 will be converted to handle the Ares V. Cranes that once assembled the Saturn V will be used again to now attach components of the Ares V. |
medaris
Member Posts: 185
From: United Kingdom
Registered: Mar 2007
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posted 07-07-2008 01:04 PM
It's exciting to see these preparations - it begins to make it feel a bit more real! |
ejectr
Member Posts: 1961
From: Killingly, CT
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 07-07-2008 05:37 PM
Man...it's really exciting to see these changes happening. I'm counting the days until the test launch. |
ASCAN1984
Member Posts: 1050
From: County Down, Nothern Ireland
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 07-15-2008 03:53 AM
I agree it is great to see the modifications for next generation vehicle begin to take shape, however I feel a real sadness about the launch pads, etc., soon being modified, bits demolished, all that history being destroyed. Very bittersweet.
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divemaster
Member Posts: 1376
From: ridgefield, ct
Registered: May 2002
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posted 07-15-2008 08:01 AM
I wonder if they'll put the inside of the VAB back on the KSC tour between the end of the shuttle program and the beginning of Ares. As long as there aren't any live SRB's around, it would be nice to be able to poke your head in again. That was always my favorite part of the tour in the good old days. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 50516
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-28-2009 10:11 PM
 On January 26, a new platform was installed on the 16th level in high bay 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building. The refurbishment of the facility is for the Ares vehicles, which will be considerably taller than the space shuttle atop its mobile launcher platform.  |
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