+ 1970 News Releases (7.6 Mb PDF file) - NASA

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MSC 70-49
Complex 34, which became operational in 1961, was placed in a
standby condition after the Apollo 7 flight in October 1968.
Extensive updating of equipment and repair would be required to ready
it for the Skylab Program.
A preliminary estimate is that $10 to 12 million can be saved by
using Complex 39 for the series of three Saturn !B launches planned for
late 1972 and 1973.
A Vehicle Assembly Building high bay, a mobile launcher and a
firing room have been assigned for the Saturn V and its Sky!ah payload.
Similar action will be taken for the Saturn IB.
The Saturn IB will undergo checkout and will be launched from a
modified mobile launcher previously used for Saturn V flights. The
major change will be the addition of a 128-foot pedestal on the launcher
platform. This will allow the present upper swing arms on the launcher
to be used with the Saturn !B and the spacecraft.
Relatively minor modifications will be required for propellant
and gas servicing of the Saturn IB booster. The rocket hold-down arms
used at Pad 34 can be used at Complex 39.
The recent decision to suspend Apollo lunar exploration flights
during the period of the Skylab Program led to a reevaluation of the
launch sites_ Schneider said. This determination released the mobile
service structure (I_SS) at Complex 39 for use with a SaSurn IB and
Apollo spacecraft. The MSS is required for manned spacecraft operations
at Complex 39.
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