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

Space Shuttle Program Historic Properties 6-54
NASA Kennedy Space Center
communications, which are conducted at other NASA Centers. Thus, this facility does
not play an exceptionally significant role in support of the SSP.
The Launch Equipment Test Facility (LETF) (M7-505A), and its associated Payload
Support Building (PSB) (M7-505), serve as a testing site for launch-critical ground
support systems and GSE. The LETF systems include, but are not limited to, the Lift-off
Simulator and Random Motion Simulator (LOS/RMS), the GOX Vent Hood and
Platform (“Beanie Cap”) (GOX/RMS), the LOX and LH 2 TSM, and the Centaur Rolling
Beam. The LETF Control Room is located in the low bay of the PSB. Both the LETF and
Control Room have undergone many modifications throughout the past three decades to
accommodate the SSP GSE testing needs. Some of the test systems have been
disassembled and removed, and control room equipment has also been removed. Thus,
the overall integrity of the complex has been compromised. As a result, the LETF no
longer conveys its historic function in the context of the SSP, and does not meet the
criteria of eligibility for listing in the NRHP.
The Vertical Processing Facility (M7-1469) was originally built in 1964 as the
Pyrotechnic Installation Facility. In the 1970s, it became the Spacecraft Assembly and
Encapsulation Facility No. 1, and was used for unmanned spacecraft operations. During
the SSP, particularly between 1982 and 1986, the building played a key role in the
processing and integration of vertical payloads. It also housed an Orbiter Simulator used
for astronaut training. However, the simulator and all support equipment have been
removed, and the facility, currently in mothball status, has suffered a loss of integrity. It
no longer conveys its historical functions, and thus, is not considered NRHP-eligible.
In addition to these buildings, six transport vehicles at KSC were surveyed and assessed
as ineligible for listing in the NRHP. These include the CTV, the Astrovan, two Payload
Canister Transporters, the Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) Transporter, and the Orbiter
Transporter. Both the CTV and the Astrovan are used to transport astronauts. The CTV
was purchased from Continental Airlines at Denver International Airport and modified in
1992. It is used to assist crew egress following landing, and moves the astronauts from
the SLF to the O&C Building for post-flight physical examinations. A similar vehicle is
used by NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards AFB. With the exception of
interior modifications to support the astronauts and their equipment, the CTVs are
identical to the vehicles, variously referred to as “mobile lounges” and “plane mates,”
used at commercial airports today. Similarly, the Astrovan, used to transport the
astronauts and their support team to the launch pad, is unremarkable in design and similar
to a commercially-available Airstream trailer, with the exception of interior
modifications. This Astrovan is not the original, which has been retired from service
(Mark Smith 2006). Thus, it is not distinguished by its exceptionally significant historical
associations with the SSP.
The two Payload Canister Transporters, the SRM Transporter, and the Orbiter
Transporter are vehicles used to move major Shuttle components between facilities. All
generally consist of a flatbed and cab, and are similar in appearance to commercial
transport vehicles. The Orbiter Transporter, manufactured by the Cometto Company
October 2007
Archaeological Consultants, Inc.