john f. kennedy space center brevard county, florida - Environmental ...

Space Shuttle Program Historic Properties 6-36
NASA Kennedy Space Center
the Holloway Corporation. Like the High Pressure Gas Facility, Hangar AF was
originally built to support Project Mercury and the Apollo Program. The other seven
contributing resources were built between 1979 and 1992 specifically to support the
Space Shuttle Program.
Photo 6.26. Hangar AF, east elevation.
(Source: Archaeological Consultants, Inc., 2006)
The facilities which constitute the historic district are functionally related as processing
facilities for the Shuttle SRBs. The SRBs, frustums, and parachutes are off-loaded from
the retrieval vessels at the dock in the Hangar AF area. The Hangar AF complex is then
used for post-launch processing of the SRB components. This includes a “first wash,”
which removes saltwater contamination, hydrazine removal, hydrolasing, or pressure
cleaning, plastic media blasting, and the application of protective finishes.
The SRB Disassembly and Refurbishment Complex Historic District, classified within
the Vehicle Processing Facilities and Resources associated with Space Flight Recovery
property types, is considered eligible for listing in the NRHP in the context of the U.S.
Space Shuttle Program (1969-2010) under Criterion A in the area of Space Exploration.
Because it has achieved exceptional significance within the past 50 years, Criteria
Consideration G applies. The SRBs are one of the major components of the Space
Shuttle. Most of the structures within the historic district were specifically designed for
processing SRBs, from pre-launch manufacture and assembly to post-launch recovery,
disassembly, cleaning and refurbishment in preparation for their next use. The historic
district is also essential to the reusability of essential Space Shuttle components. The
SRB Disassembly and Refurbishment Complex Historic District maintains a high level of
integrity with regards to location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and
association.
October 2007
Archaeological Consultants, Inc.