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

The district boundaries extend from the footprint of one of the contributing resources, the OPF,
approximately 10 feet to the west, north, and east, and approximately 250 feet to the south, and
from the footprint of the other two contributing resources, the OPF-3 and the TPSF,
approximately 10 feet in all directions, which includes all necessary structures and components
historically required for its functions.
SIGNIFICANCE: The Orbiter Processing Historic District is considered eligible for listing in
the NRHP in the context of the U.S. Space Shuttle Program (1969-2010) 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 Orbiter Processing Historic District is from 1977, when the OPF was completed, 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.
The Orbiter Processing Historic District contains NASA’s only facilities designed and built
exclusively to support pre-flight and post-landing processing of the Space Shuttle Orbiter. It is the
only site where all five orbiters originally were processed for their first flights. Under Criterion
C, design and method of construction of two of the contributing resources, the OPF and the OPF-
3, clearly embody the specific requirements of the Space Shuttle Program. The OPF contains two
large high bays, designed for the size of the orbiter. The OPF-3 has one high bay. Each high bay
has a platform system specifically designed around the shape of the orbiter. This system contains
stationary platforms set at various levels, which provide access to the major areas of the orbiter.
Each level is also fitted with moveable platforms for access to specific components. In addition,
a clean room environment is provided around the payload bay, when the doors are open. The
OPF-3 also contains the SSMEPF. This facility was designed specifically to process the Space
Shuttle’s main engines. Like the orbiter high bay, it contains platforms that fit around the engine,
providing access to the main components. This uniquely designed equipment, rather than the
buildings’ exterior shells, provides the basis for the Orbiter Processing Historic District’s
eligibility under Criterion C. The Orbiter Processing Historic District is of exceptional
importance to the Space Shuttle Program, and because it is less than 50 years in age, Criteria
Consideration G applies.
INTEGRITY: The Orbiter Processing Historic District maintains a high level of integrity with
regards to location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association.