![]() ![]() The deal between NASA and Space Florida includes the use and modification of OPF-3, the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) Processing Facility and Processing Control Center (PCC). OPF High Bay 3 is already deep into its transition, following the October, 2011 deal for a 15 year lease, agreed between NASA and Space Florida – the State’s aerospace economic development agency. The buildings had everything an orbiter needed for her processing flow, ranging from 30-ton bridge cranes, two rolling bridges, communications rooms, offices and supervisory control rooms and a huge array of platforms surrounding the vehicle to allow engineers and technicians to access all areas of the orbiter. ![]() The buildings are made from pre-insulated metal siding on a structural steel frame and features specialized heavy electrical and environmental control systems that protected the orbiters during processing. The open bay space inside an OPF High Bay consists of 30,000 square feet of clear floor area with a clear height of nearly 100 feet. Unlike a lot of KSC’s facilities – that were constructed for the Apollo Program before being repurposed – the OPF buildings were constructed specifically for the orbiters. ![]() On the occasions where all four orbiters were at KSC, but outside of a mating or pad flow, one vehicle was hosted inside the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). OPF-3 initially started life as the NASA Orbiter Modification and Refurbishment Facility (OMRF), before its own transition as the orbiter fleet grew in numbers. They were joined by OPF High Bay 3, which has a single story-office building attached. OPF High Bay 1 and 2 were constructed in the late 1970s, connected by a 233-foot-long low bay. Technically, the three buildings are collectively known as the Orbiter Processing Facility – consisting of three “high bays” and support rooms. However, only one of the buildings has confirmed a tenant for the new era at this time. When it’s all done, the full stack of the Space Shuttle launch system will stand 200 feet (61 meters) tall, becoming the main attraction around which the Air and Space Center building will be constructed.Įndeavor has been on display at the California Science Center for the past 11 years, albeit laying horizontally rather than standing straight as though it’s ready to soar through the skies once more.As the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) continues its transformation into a multi-user spaceport, the three buildings dedicated to processing the since-retired Space Shuttle orbiters are aiming to once again host engineers busily tending to their spacecraft. The Shuttle’s external tank, ET-94, will then be lifted into place, followed by the Endeavor orbiter, which will be lifted by a large crane and connected to the rest of the rocket stack. The solid rocket motors will be stacked on top of the aft skirts to form the solid rocket boosters. The first part of the process involves installing the rocket’s aft skirts-a pair of skirt-shaped bottom segments that form the base of the solid rocket boosters. Getting the Space Shuttle pieces stacked on top of one another is not going to be an easy feat, and it’s going to be the first time it’s ever been done outside of a NASA facility, according to the California Science Center. ![]() “ Endeavor will be the star attraction of the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, a launchpad for creativity and innovation that will inspire future generations of scientists, engineers and explorers,” Jeff Rudolph, president and CEO of the California Science Center, said in a statement. Once fully stacked, the 20-story-tall vertical display will be the only “ready-for-launch” Space Shuttle system in the world in terms of its staging and appearance. The display will include the Endeavor orbiter, which embarked on its first mission with the Space Shuttle program in 1992, the rocket’s solid boosters, and external tank. ![]()
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