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

Space Shuttle Program Historic Properties 6-46
NASA Kennedy Space Center
Photo 6.40. Hypergolic Maintenance and Checkout Area Historic District, looking northwest.
(Source: Archaeological Consultants, Inc. 2007).
The hypergolic-fueled modules which comprise the orbiter’s reaction control system
(RCS), OMS, and APUs are processed within the HMCA Historic District. The work
done consists of the checkout, refurbishment and revalidation of the hypergolic fuel
modules of the OMS, the RCS, and the APUs. In addition, electrical and TPS repairs on
the OMS pods and the individual modules are also conducted in this facility. The controls
for these operations are housed in the Hypergol Support Building.
The HMCA Historic District, classified within the Vehicle Processing Facilities property
type, is considered eligible for listing in the NRHP in the context of the U.S. Space
Shuttle Program (1969-2010) under NRHP Criterion A in the area of Space Exploration.
Because it has achieved exceptional significance within the past 50 years, Criteria
Consideration G applies. It is a one- of- a-kind facility used for processing the OMS
pods, with the incorporated RCS, both of which use the hypergolic fuels monomethyl
hydrazine (MMH) and nitrogen tetroxide, which explode on contact. The HMCA Historic
District is in good condition and maintains integrity of location, design, setting, materials,
workmanship, feeling, and association.
October 2007
Archaeological Consultants, Inc.