NASA's legendary Pad 39A goes commercial

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Behind the scenes:

The idea of Pads 39 A and 39B (Apollo & Shuttle) being used commercially has been languishing for a few years, with 39B also being used for the super-heavy NASA Space Launch System (SLS) when / if it arrives. Mods to the pad 39 A/B complex have been made, but no firm takers until now.

Recently SpaceX suits & engineers toured the LC 39A site again, and this was issued because SpaceX expressed an interest in using LC 39A for Falcon Heavy (and later, strong rumors say, a Falcon X / Falcon XX class super-heavy launcher).

Tends to make one think FH's launched at LC 39A will be vertically integrated in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) instead of horizontally like Falcon 9 / FH at LC 40 and Vandenberg, perhaps as practice for Falcon X / XX?

Now that the ice has been broken other commercial users may fall in line at 39A, with obvious candidates being Atlas V for the SNC Dream Chaser and Boeing CST-100, and later Blue Origin's launcher.

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/releases/2013/release-20130517.html

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May 17, 2013

RELEASE : 13-146

NASA Seeks Proposals for Commercial Operations at Launch Pad 39A

WASHINGTON -- NASA released a synopsis Friday announcing plans to issue an announcement for proposals for the commercial use of Launch Pad 39A at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The announcement is expected next week.

Use of the launch pad by industry is designed to encourage commercial space activities along Florida's Space Coast and fully use the historic launch complex.

Launch Pad 39A originally was designed to support NASA's Apollo Program and later was modified to launch space shuttles. Today, the agency is modernizing nearby Launch Pad 39B to support government and commercial launches, including NASA's heavy-lift Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft, which will provide an entirely new capability for human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit.

"We remain committed to right-sizing our portfolio by reducing the number of facilities that are underused, duplicative, or not required to support the Space Launch System and Orion," said Kennedy Center Director Bob Cabana. "Launch Complex 39A is not required to support our asteroid retrieval mission or our eventual missions to Mars. But it's in the agency's and our nation's best interest in meeting our commitment and direction to enable commercial space operations and allow the aerospace industry to operate and maintain the pad and related facilities."

Assessments conducted by NASA show Launch Pad 39A could serve as a platform for a commercial space company's launch activities if the company assumes financial and technical responsibility of the complex's operations and management. Commercial use of the pad would further support NASA's goal to encourage the commercial use of property the agency does not need for the foreseeable future.

Kennedy is positioning itself for the next era of space exploration, transitioning to a 21st century launch facility with multiple users, both private and government. A dynamic infrastructure is taking shape, designed to host many kinds of spacecraft and rockets capable of sending people on America's next adventures in space.

To view the full announcement, visit Kennedy Space Center's Business Opportunities page:

http://go.nasa.gov/13Bhogu

For more information about NASA and human exploration, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/exploration

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http://www.spacenews.com/article/launch-report/36587spacex-appetite-for-us-launch-sites-grows

SpaceX Appetite for U.S. Launch Sites Grows

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) is awaiting word from NASA about whether it can take over one of the space shuttle?s launch pads at the Kennedy Space Center here. But even if its proposal is accepted, bringing its current U.S. launch complex tally to three, the company will still pursue another site, most likely in Texas, for its growing commercial business.

?Each of the pads has its own niche and we have plenty of business to fill each pad,? said Garrett Reisman, a former astronaut who now oversees SpaceX?s commercial crew programs.

NASA is evaluating at least two proposals for Launch Pad 39A, an Apollo-era complex that was revamped for the now-retired space shuttle program.

In addition to SpaceX, privately owned Blue Origin has said it would like to lease the complex on a non-exclusive basis.

Reisman said SpaceX wants the pad whether or not it wins the next and final round of NASA?s commercial crew development program. The company is competing against Boeing and Sierra Nevada Corp., both of which plan to fly their spacecraft on United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas 5 rockets.

ULA said it did not bid for the shuttle?s launch pad.

Reisman said SpaceX wants to use Launch Complex 39A?s access tower, escape system and bunker for launching people, saving the time and cost of upgrading its existing Cape Canaveral Air Force Station launch pad, located just south of NASA?s spaceport, for crewed missions.

The company also would fly its planned Falcon Heavy rockets, in addition to Falcon 9s, from the Kennedy Space Center, Reisman added.

?We want to start using it real fast,? he said.

NASA is looking for a commercial partner to take over pad 39A by Oct. 1, documents posted on the agency?s procurement website show.

SpaceX meanwhile is continuing to assess options for what would be a fourth launch site for its commercial customers. It specifically wants a site that would be licensed and overseen by the Federal Aviation Administration, rather than the U.S. military or NASA.

An environmental assessment of site in Boca Chica Beach near Brownsville, Texas, is under way.

Another site in Florida, as well as sites in Georgia and Puerto Rico reportedly are still under consideration.