DocM Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Tailor made for methane fueled small launchers like Firefly. http://www.nasa.gov/feature/new-small-class-vehicle-launch-pad-takes-shape-at-launch-pad-39b New Small Class Vehicle Launch Pad Takes Shape at Launch Pad 39B NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida took another step forward in its transformation into a 21st Century multi-user spaceport with the creation of a new launch pad that is designed to attract smaller aerospace companies and enable them to develop and launch their vehicles from the center. The landscape of the center's Launch Pad 39B area is changing as construction reveals the concrete surface of a new Small Class Vehicle Launch Pad, designated 39C, which will serve as a multi-purpose site for companies to test vehicles and capabilities in the smaller class of rockets. A designated pad to test smaller rockets will make it more affordable for smaller companies to break into the commercial spaceflight market. The Ground Systems Development and Operations (GSDO) Program is overseeing the project and working with Center Planning and Development to grow commercial space efforts at Kennedy. "The small class market is looking for new capabilities, and we've talked to a number of companies showing some interest in Kennedy and the new launch site at pad B," said Scott Colloredo, director of Center Planning and Development. "Along with our human, heavy class and super-heavy class Space Launch System capabilities, we want to diversify into the small class market." Located in the southeast area of the pad B perimeter, the new concrete pad measures about 50 feet wide by about 100 feet long. In addition to the small class launch site, GSDO also has developed a universal propellant servicing system, which would provide liquid oxygen and liquid methane fueling capabilities for a variety of small class rockets. "This small class launch vehicle pad will help to grow our commercial space efforts and give smaller companies affordable access to space," said Mike Bolger, GSDO Program manager. Jerad Merbitz, the Small Class Vehicle Element Operations manager, hopes the small class processing and launch features Kennedy has to offer, including the launch site, universal propellant servicing system, and launch control center options will attract aerospace companies to Kennedy. Access to existing processing facilities, such as the Vehicle Assembly Building and the Multi-Payload Processing Facility, also would be a plus. When completed, 39C could support the combined weight of a fueled launch vehicle, payload and customer-provided launch mount up to about 132,000 pounds, and an umbilical tower structure, fluid lines, cables and umbilical arms weighing up to about 47,000 pounds. Merbitz said whether you're launching humans or payloads, it's expensive. But new developments in engines, composites, and technology as a whole have allowed commercial spaceflight to become more attainable for smaller companies. The new launch site will be good for companies with more invested in research and development. "At Kennedy, it's in our DNA to help these companies," Merbitz said. "It's a unique opportunity in our history, truly making this center a multi-user spaceport." A guess based on the article Unobscured Vision 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draggendrop Veteran Posted June 2, 2015 Veteran Share Posted June 2, 2015 I didn't know much about "firefly" till I did a bit of research......It seems SpaceX has paved the way for a lot of startups...which is great... One of the most interesting byproducts of SpaceX Unobscured Vision 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beittil Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 You mean SpaceX? Well, they are currently in a testing program for their Raptor engine over at Stennis. It is currently only individual parts being tested though, but it is all focused on methane! Unobscured Vision 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted June 2, 2015 Author Share Posted June 2, 2015 Yup. SpaceX modded the Stennis test stand for methane to test Raptor parts, and both NASA and other parties will use them when SpaceX finishes. BTW: one of Firefly's founders, Tom Markusic, used to be the Director SpaceX's McGregor test center and Principle Propulsion Engineer. Firefly's original HQ was next to SpaceX's Hawthorne plant. Unobscured Vision 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unobscured Vision Posted June 3, 2015 Share Posted June 3, 2015 I'm a little perplexed why the new Pad needs to be raised though.Seems a bit .. 60's thinking to me. There's no good reason for that unless they're going the "cheap and lazy route" and haven't built exhaust/flame deflection into the underside of the Pad area (which it appears they have NOT). Please, NASA, for the love of all that is Science, install Deflection and Water Suppression systems like Wallops Island has. Those engines and vehicles still need protection. Please don't make your customers go through the trouble of having to hoist their gear up TO the Pad only to have a failure because safeguards weren't installed. Those vehicles are more powerful than Titan/Gemini now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted June 3, 2015 Author Share Posted June 3, 2015 Saturn 1B was launched from, and raised up on to, a much higher platform. Cranes are cheap, digging and cladding flame trenches isn't. Unobscured Vision 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draggendrop Veteran Posted June 3, 2015 Veteran Share Posted June 3, 2015 Ahhhhhhhhh.....The Golden era......... Edit...Doc is going to hit 21,000 posts....whhhhhhhw....... Unobscured Vision 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unobscured Vision Posted June 3, 2015 Share Posted June 3, 2015 The adaptations for Saturn 1B are interesting (and thanks for the great picture, Doc!). Check out the modifications 1/3 of the way up the Launch Tower where they attach it to the bottom of the 1B's Resting Structure ... wow. You can't just roll a 1B out to the Pad and launch it without some serious retooling of the Launch Tower. Anyway, in response to Doc's post. I am of the opinion that the Launch Pad in question needs additional measures for Vehicle and Pad safety. Certainly raising the Pad will mitigate much of the cost in building the Pad and maintaining the site, but it's a safety issue and I am uncomfortable with those. That's all. If the Engineers say it is acceptable for the parameters it is expected to operate within (and a margin of +20%), then it's fine and all is well. I'd feel better about the site having Flame Trenches, Exhaust Diversion and Water/Acoustic Suppression Systems in place as a matter of good practice. Call me over-cautious. And congrats on hitting 21,000 posts, DocM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draggendrop Veteran Posted June 4, 2015 Veteran Share Posted June 4, 2015 I was checking out vintage photo's and came across this collection of old launches, some photo's lost in time...near the middle of the video, a Titan 2 is on a small launcher (1:54)...and a grass field beside it.....up on an embankment.... Old and now..todays new...small launchers..for everyone... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted June 6, 2015 Author Share Posted June 6, 2015 They aren't wasting any time. Taken from 39B by NSF user jacqmans. You can see SpaceX's 39A on the wide shot. Much higher pixel counts in the NSF thread. http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=37539.0 Unobscured Vision 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted July 17, 2015 Author Share Posted July 17, 2015 Dedication day http://youtu.be/ysH86oXWyAs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted August 5, 2015 Author Share Posted August 5, 2015 Launch Pad 39C Ready for Small Class Rockets at Kennedy Space Center Published on Aug 4, 2015 Kennedy Space Center's new Launch Pad 39C will provide access for small class vehicle rocket launches. Computer-aided imagery illustrates how a company's rocket could be integrated with its launch platform inside the Vehicle Assembly Building or at the pad before testing and launch. For more information on Kennedy partnerships, visit http://kscpartnerships.ksc.nasa.gov/. Draggendrop and Unobscured Vision 2 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draggendrop Veteran Posted August 5, 2015 Veteran Share Posted August 5, 2015 This is a pretty neat setup. Configurable for various needs,support equipment and fueling products. A small launcher can focus on their vehicle without pad worries...That transporter reminds me of the old Corgi and Hot Wheels construction sets.....does the job.... Unobscured Vision 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted August 5, 2015 Author Share Posted August 5, 2015 (edited) There's a huge move into the small satellite market, so NASA is following that market. Even the military is interested because it's harder to take out a widely distributed, and potentially mobile and redundant, network of thousands of small milsats than a much lower number of dedicated "Big Birds." ISTM the tech SpaceX plans to use for linking together its internet satellites into a redundant backbone could be very dual-use. Edited August 5, 2015 by DocM Unobscured Vision and Draggendrop 2 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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