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KSC LAUNCH COMPLEX 3 9FAC IL IT IESNATIONAL AERONAUTICS AN D SPACE ADMINISTRATION

APOLLO OBJECTIVES AND RESPONSIBILITIESA major goal of NASA's Apollo program is a mannedspace flight to the moon, exploration of the lunar surface,and safe return of the astronauts before the end of this

decade.Under the direction of the Office of Manned SpaceFlight, NASA, Washington, D. C., the Apollo program is ajoint responsibility of Manned Spacecraft Center, Houston,Texas; Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama;and Kennedy Space Center.

FACT SHEET 03DECEMBER 1968

Development of launch vehicles for the Apollo pro-gram is undertaken at the Marshall Space Flight Center,while the Manned Spacecraf t Center oversees developmentof spacecraft systems and astronaut selection and training.Kennedy Space Center is NASA's manager forApollo launch operations. KSC provides launch facilitiesto support each mission, is responsible for receiving,inspecting, assembling and preflight testing of launch vehi-cles and spacecraft, and conducts the launch of vehiclesemployed in the program.

Apollo/Saturn V space v.ehicle aboard a Mobile Launcher leaves th e Vehicle AssemblyBuilding enroute to launch pad at LaunchComplex39 . Borge, right center, delivers launch vehicle stages to complex.

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FACILITIES TO SUPPORT APOLLO PROGRAMFollowing President Kennedy's commitment to placeAmerican astronauts on the moon hefore the end of thisdecade, NASA ohtained Congressional approval to createa national spaceport on 88,000 acres of land on MerrittIsland, adjacent to existing facilities on Cape Kennedy.

In August 1961, this location was officially designatedas the launch site for the lunar program.While KSC developed design criteria for the spaceport, construction was carried ou t hy various contractororganizations under direction of the Army Corps ofEngineers.First Saturn V (the launch vehicle to he used for thelunar mission) was launched Novemher 9, 1967, the secondApril 4, 1968.The facilities at Kennedy Space Center are locatedin two hasic areas:

1. The Industrial Area which houses administrativeand engineering personnel, and provides facilitiesfor testing Apollo spacecraft and training astronauts.2. Launch Complex 39, approximately five milesnorth of the Industrial Area where facilities forthe assemhly, checkout and launch of Apollo/Saturn V space vehicles are located.

THE NEED FOR NEW CONCEPTSThe fixed launch concept had heen employed exclusively in all major NASA programs prior to the Apolloprogram.Under the fixed launch concept the space vehicleundergoes assemhly and integration at the launch pad, and

at that location simulated flight tests and final checkoutof the vehicle take place. This method had proved entirelysatisfactory in earlier programs; however, the size andcomplexity of Apollo/Saturn V vehicles and the frequencyof scheduled flight tests dictated requirements that haveevolved into the new mohile launch concept.

The mohile launch concept consists of assemhly,integration and checkout of space vehicles in a protectedenvironment, with the flight-ready vehicle then transported to the launch site. There, following final servicingand propellant loading, the launch is effected.One of the major benefits realized in the mohilelaunch concept is the reduction in pad time (the time alaunch site and suppor t elements are tied up in preparationfor a mission). As a comparison, manned Mercurymissions normally required pad times of several months.In Apollo missions, the mohile launch concept can eventually reduce pad time to about two weeks.Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39 provides the capahility to carry ou t launch operations underthe requirements of the mohile launch concept.

Artist 's cutaway view of VAB showing assembly of Satum V space vehicle.

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VEHICLE ASSEMBLY BUILDING

The hub of operations at Launch Complex 39 is theVehicle Assembly Building (V AB). The VAB consists of ahigh bay area 525 feet high, and a low bay area 210 feethigh. With a length of 716 feet and width of 513 feet, theVAB covers 343,500 square feet of floor space. It is oneof the world's largest buildings by volume, containing129,482,000 cubic feet of space. Assembly of Apollo/Saturn V space vehicles takes place inside the VAB.The high and low bay areas, serviced by a transferaisle for movement of vehicle stages, form two distinctoperational elements of the building.The low bay area is approximately 442 deep and 274feet wide. It contains eight stage-preparation and checkout cens. A 175-ton bridge crane services the transfer aislefrom the low bay to the high bay area.The high bay area provides the facilities for assemblyand checkout of Saturn V stages, instrument unit andApollo S p a c e c r a f ~ . The high bay area is approximately525 feet high, and covers an area 518 feet by 442 feet. I tcontains four separate bays for vertical assembly and integrated vehicle checkout.

Rollout of Apollo/Saturn V from VAB.

Access to the space vehicle is provided by dividedwork platforms in each high bay which completely surround the vehicle at varying levels. Each pla tform is composed of two parts that move in and mate, affording 360-degree access to the section being worked on.There are 141 dose-tolerance lifting devices in theVAE, ranging from one-ton hoists to two 250--ton highlift bridge cranes with hook heights of 462 feet.Office and storage areas are locat ed inside the VAB.The low bay area contains quarters for flight crews andsupport personnel who must remain nearby during criticalperiods of assembly and checkout. There are 17 elevatorsin the high bay area and four in the low bay area.

Four door areas in the high bay, one in each bay,permit movement of Mobile Launchers to and from theVAB. Lower doors consist of four leaves, which openhorizontally. Upper doors consist of seven leaves whichopen upward. Total door height is 456 feet.

The foundation of the VAS rests on 4,225 steelpilings, each 16 inches in diameter, driven from 150 to170 feet to bedrock. The skeletal structu re of the building contains approximately 60,000 tons of structuralsteel. The exterior is covered by more than a millionsquare feet of insulated aluminum siding and 70,000square feet of light-emitting plastic panels.MOB! lE LAUNCHERS

For each space vehicle undergoing assembly insidethe a Mobile Launcher composed of a launch platform base and an umbilical tower, provides the physicalsupport for the vertically integrated vehicle. The 18,000square foot base of the Mobile Launcher, upon which theApono/Saturn V is assembled, later serves as the launchplatform at the pad. The umbilical tower provides accessplatforms and support for propellant, electrical and communication lines.The base of the Mobile Launcher containsarms and the tail service masts for servicing the first stageof the space vehicle. The launcher base houses equipmentincluding computer digitally controlledment for propel lant pneumatic lines, electrical powersystems, and water There is a 45-foot square

101' rocket exhaust at liftoff.on the

base platform, open steel structure.Mounted at the to p of the tower is a 25-tonhalnrnerhead crane,- 'Nhich extends the total399 feet.

electrical, and instruluentationhigh located withintm!{er, afford service to the work !_H"U' '- 'UU".Eaeh Mobile Launcher stands 445 feet taU andlO.5-million The launchers are thestructures known.

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TRANSPORTERTransportation is afforded by two Transporters.These 6-million pound units transfer Mobile Launchers

into the VAB and rvlobile Launchers with assembledApollo/Saturn V space vehicles to the launch pad. Theyalso transport the Mobile Service Structure to and fromthe launch pad.

Each Transporter is 131 feet long and 114 feet wide.The vehicle moves on four double-tracked crawlers, each10 feet high and 40 feet long. Each shoe on the crawlertracks weighs about 2,000 pounds.Sixteen traction motors powered by four 1,000 kwgenerators, which are driven by two 1,750 horsepowerdiesel engines, provide the motive power for the Transporter. Two 750 kw generators, driven by two 1,065horsepower diesel engines, power the jacking, steeringlighting, ventilating and electronic systems.

In operation, a Transporter slips under the MobileLauncher and raises the launcher and space vehicle.

Transporter

The Transporter moves out of the VAB, transferringthe more than ll-million pound load approximately 3.5miles to the launch site. During th e trip, which includes aclimb up a 5-percent g;fade to the pad, the Transportermust carry its load in a vertical position within 10 minutesof arc. In order to accomplish this the Transporter isequipped with both automatic and manual leveling devices.I t is also equipped with a hydraulic jacking system forraising and lowering th e Mobile Launchers.

The Transporter travels over a specially constructedCrawlerway, 130 feet wide, divided by a median strip.The roadbed averages seven feet in thickness and is composed of layers of hydraulic selected fill, graded limerock, and asphalt seaJer coat. It is then topped with eightinches of graded river rock.The Transporter, which has a maximum loadedspeed of one mile an hour, is designed for a 12-millionpound load capacity. Depending on direction of movement, operators can occupy cabs at either end of theTransporter. Minimum turning radius for th e vehicle is500 feet.

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Apollo/Saturn V an d Mobile Launcher are moved to launch padby T ran s porter.

Cu taway view of Launch Pad"A ".

LAUNCH SITESTwo launch pads have been constructed at LaunchComplex 39, and land is available for two more if futureschedules require additional sites.Each launch site is in the shape of an irregular octa

gon, approximately 3,000 feet across. A deep flametrench partially bisects each pad. Prior to launch a 650-ton wedge shaped flame deflector, 41 feet six inches high,is moved by rail into the flame trench. Positioned directlybeneath the space vehicle, it deflects the flames and channels the exhaust along the flame trench. To dissipateflames and minimize damage at the pad a water delugesystem is available which can pump 40,000 gallons ofwater a minute into the flame trench.

The Mobile Launcher, with flight-ready space vehicleon board, is secured to six mount mechanisms located onthe concrete surface of the pad. Other fixed componentson the launch pad include liquid oxygen and hydrogenservice towers, a fuel system service tower, an electricalpower pedestal, and other facilities to service and effectlaunch of the space vehicle.

The Pad Terminal Connection Room (PTCR) is located underground and to one side of the flame trench.The steel-reinforced concrete enclosure, covered with asmuch as 20 feet of earth fill, houses electronic equipmentwhich is part of the communication link between a MobileLauncher and the Launch Control Center. Other similarlyplaced enclosures are the Environmental Control Systems(ECS) Room, High Pressure Gas Storage Room and Emergency Egress Room.

Located near the perimeter of the pads are RP-1(Kerosene), liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen storagefacilities, and a Remote Air Intake Facility. Within thelaunch site area are holding ponds used for retention offuel spill and waste water. There is also a burn pond fordisposal of hydrogen gas boil off.

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BARGE TERMINALThe Barge Terminal facilities consist of an access

canal, a turning basin, a dock, barge slips and a materialshandling area adjoining the dock.The access canal is provided for marine barge vesselswhich deliver launch vehicle stages and related componentsas well as other types of heavy equ ipment. The canal runsgenerally eastward to the Banana River, which in turnleads to the Atlantic Ocean via Port Canaveral.The turning basin is the terminal point for thebarge vessels. Southeast of the VAB, it is 1,200 feetacross and 10 feet deep.

MOBILE SERVICE STRUCTUREIn an actual launch operation, the Transporter,after depositing the Mobile Launcher and space vehicle on

the pad, returns to the Mobile Service Structure parkingarea 7,000 feet from the pad. There it picks up the MobileService Structure and carries it to the pad.The Mobile Service Structure is a 402-foot tali,derrick-type, steel-trussed tower, which weighs 9,800,000pounds. At the launch pad it is lowered and secured tofour mount mechanisms.The Mobile Service Structure provides access forfinal connection of certain ordnance items, checkoutfunctions, and related equipment for servicing systemscomponents of the Apollo spacecraft. It also provides

Satu", borg'" at b"'ge te,minal

access for hypergolic fueling of the command , service andlunar modules.The Mobile Service Structure has five work platforms which dose around the space vehicle. Two plat

forms are powered to move up and down. The remainingthree can be repositioned, bu t are not self powered. Twohigh rise elevators provide service to the work platforms.Located in the base portion of the structure is amechanical equipment room, an operations support room,a communications and TV room, and areas for equipmentstorage.Before launch, the Mobile Service Structure is removed from the pad and returned to the parking area.

After space vehicle and Mobile Launcher are secured on pad, T r ( m S p o r h ~ ~ " moves Mobile ServIce Struc'bure into position.

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LAUNCH CONTROL CENTERLocated just east of the VAB is the Launch ControlCenter (LCC). This four-story building, where final countdown and launch of Apollo/Saturn V's, are conducted, is

the electronic brain of Launch Complex 39. The LCC isalso the facility from which a multitude of checkout andtest operations are conducted while space vehicle assemblyis taking place inside the VAB.The ground floor of the structure is devoted to service and support functions such as medical facilities, officespace, shops, labora tories and a cafeteria.

One of four firing rooms in Launch Control Center.

Telemetry, radio, tracking, instrumentation, data re-duction and evaluation equipment occupy the second floor.The third floor of the LCC has four firing rooms,computers, visitors' galleries and offices. Each firingroom is designed to house 470 monitors and controlconsoles.The fourth floor looks down on the third floor andprovides each firing room with four rear-view projectionscreens that present different views of the launch siteduring launch operations. The fourth floor also containsconference rooms.

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Launch of Apollo 4 from LC-39.