May 2nd, 2005
going vab opf pad museum class rpsf assembly marine disassembly back
 The VAB is the heart of operations at LC-39 It was originally built to assemble the huge Saturn launch vehicles for the Apollo Program |
 Repairs to the hurricane damage is still underway |
 The VAB is one of the largest buildings in the world. It has a volume of 129,428,000 cubic ft. Only the Boeing 747 facility in Washington state is larger |
 The high bay area is 525 feet high |
 Movable work platforms fit the configuration of the Shuttle, SRBs and External Tank |
 A simple chain keeps you from dropping 500 feet |
 Cathy needs more than a chain at this height and Jon has his camera, just in case |
 The other high bay has two SRBs underway |
 Each SRB is held to the Pad with four bolts |
 One of eight bolts that hold the Shuttle on the pad |
 The SRBs are stacked on the Mobile Launcher Platform (MLP) |
 The External Tank will be integrated next followed by the shuttle Atlantis |
 View of the Crawlerway leading from the VAB to Launch Complex 39A from atop the MLP |
 Launch Control Center (LCC) is right beside the VAB |
 The operations overview crew pose with the stack |
 Better view of the SRB is bolted to the MLP |
 Aft booster separation motors on the aft skirt |
 Only one SRB has the forward sections attached |
 Lisa and Jon photo the SRB from across the bay |
 Mighty high yet again, hold onto your glasses |
 The Crawler Transporter rolls under the MLP, lifts it, and then takes it out to the pad |
 Our Mazda 6 Wagon out in front of the VAB |
 The famous countdown clock near the VAB |
 External Tank Barge docked near the VAB |
 The barge shuttles external tanks from Louisiana |
 Big clock with a launch pad off in the distance |
 Hope to see some zeroes on that clock by mid July! | |
going vab opf pad museum class rpsf assembly marine disassembly back