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

At the 280-ft level is the ET gaseous oxygen vent arm and “beanie cap,” used to heat the liquid
oxygen (LOX) vent system at the top of the ET to prevent ice formation. Around 2 minutes, 30
seconds before launch, the “beanie cap” is raised, and 45 seconds later, the arm is retracted.
However, it is not latched until SRB ignition, in case the launch needs to be held. The
hammerhead crane at the top of the FSS measures approximately 95 ft in length, 10.5 ft in width,
and 20 ft in height. It can be rotated through a full 360 degrees, and the hook can be positioned
up to a maximum 85-ft radius. It has a 25-ton capacity through the 50-ft mark, and only a 10-ton
capacity from the 50-ft mark to the 85-ft mark. The lighting mast measures 80 ft in height and
has a 5-ft diameter; the support structure bridges above the hammerhead crane. At roughly 21 ft
due south from the southeast corner of the FSS sits the hinge column for the RSS, which is
supported by a triangular-footprint trussing system off of the south elevation of the FSS.
The RSS has overall dimensions of approximately 160 ft in length, 59 ft in width and 189 ft in
height. It contains the PCR, which provides protected access to the Orbiter’s cargo bay for the
installation and servicing of payloads. The PCR itself has dimensions of 50 ft in length and width,
and 130 ft in height, and functions as an airlock by maintaining the controlled environment
required when payloads are inserted into or removed from the Orbiter. The PCR contains five
platform levels, excluding the main floor level. The main floor sits at 136 ft above sea level, and
the five platform levels are at 145 ft, 154 ft, 163 ft, 175 ft, and 187 ft above sea level. Within the
PCR is the Payload Ground Handling Mechanism (PGHM), which is used to transfer the payload
from the Payload Canister to the orbiter. Below the PCR, within the RSS, is an Auxiliary Power
Subsystem (APS) access platform (at 112 ft) and an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) access platform
(at 125 ft). The RSS also contains the orbiter midbody umbilical unit, which allows access to the
midfuselage area of the orbiter, and the hypergolic umbilical system, which carries fuel, oxidizer,
helium, and nitrogen lines from the FSS to the orbiter maneuvering system (OMS) pods. At the
outer end of the RSS, opposite the column hinge, are two rotary bridge truck drive assemblies,
each with eight wheels. These assemblies provide the means for moving the RSS through a 120-
degree angle, at a 160-ft radius.
LP 39B also contains a Sound Suppression System. This system includes a 300,000-gallon
capacity water tank that begins to release water just before main engine ignition. The water flows
to six 12-ft high MLP nozzles called “rainbirds,” protecting the Orbiter and payloads from
damage by acoustical energy reflected off of the MLP during liftoff. A peak flow rate of 900,000
gallons per minute occurs approximately 9 seconds after liftoff.
The resource boundary extends from the outer perimeter of the launch pad’s hardstand,
approximately 10 feet, which includes all necessary structures and components historically
required for its functions.
SIGNIFICANCE: On January 21, 2000, Pad B (LP 39B; Facility No. J7-337) was listed in the
NRHP as a contributing resource within the Launch Complex 39: Pad B Historic District in the
context of the Apollo Program, ca. 1961 through 1975. LP 39B has since gained importance in
the context of the Space Shuttle Program, circa 1969 to 2010. In addition to its contributions to
the NRHP-listed historic district, LP 39B is considered individually eligible for listing in the
NRHP under Criteria A and C in the areas of Space Exploration and Engineering, respectively.
Because it has achieved significance within the past 50 years, Criteria Consideration G applies.
The period of significance for the LP 39B is from 1985, when the pad received its first flightready
Space Shuttle vehicle, through 2010, the designated end of the Space Shuttle Program. The
Space Shuttle Program is the longest running American space program to date. Unlike the
Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs, the emphasis was on cost effectiveness and reusability, as
well as the construction of a space station. This launch pad is one of two sites at NASA KSC