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

axis, and each crane hook is adjustable along the east-west axis. Just below the crane rail on the
west wall (or the east wall in High Bay 2) sits a catwalk, with an access ladder at the south end.
Within each hangar is a structure of stationary and moveable platforms, which are centered on the
orbiter access door and perimetered by the utility trenches. The orbiter is positioned within the
hangar so that its nose is at the south end. To the north, at the aft end of the orbiter, is a pair of
door-like attachments, known as the 513 workstand, which closes on the vehicle after it is in
place. This stand provides three platform levels for access to the aft end of the orbiter, which
includes the main engines and OMS pods. These stationary levels contain the “10s” and “19s”
moveable platforms that provide direct access to the engines and OMS pods. Above these three
platforms are two additional levels, accessed via ladders. The top level includes a walkway over
the orbiter, between the side platforms.
The platform structures to each orbiter side also contain three working levels. Towards the north
end, the lower two of these are contoured in the shape of the orbiter’s wings. Attached to these
sides are the “11s,” “8s,” and “13s” moveable platforms. The “11s” sit towards the north for
access to the aft end of the orbiter, while the “8s” sit forward of the wings, on the first platform
level, giving access to the reinforced carbon panels. The “13s” are on the third platform level.
These provide access into the payload compartment, and are lowered after the payload doors are
opened onto their strongback support. Plastic curtains hang at the ends of the payload
compartment, providing a clean room environment for the area.
The platforms at the south end of the hangar are shaped around the orbiter’s nose, and vary
slightly from the remainder of the structure. Although this section also has three working levels,
its first level is at the height of the others’ second level, and its second level breaks at the center.
Like the other sides, it also has moveable platforms for more direct access to the orbiter. In
addition, it has an unattached rolling platform for access to the underside of the nose.
All of the platform levels are connected by stairs, ladders and ramps. There is also an elevator
situated at the southeast corner of the structure. In addition, all platforms, including the moveable
ones, are fitted with handrails for safety purposes, and there is an air shower near the southeast
corner of the second platform level. The hangars are lit by industrial metal halide light fixtures
suspended from the ceiling, and surface mounted fluorescent light fixtures within the platform
structure.
Additional support areas for the facility are located to the south of the OPF. In line with the
center of the Low Bay is the hypergol storage tank, which is capable of holding 30,000 gallons of
the rocket fuel. To either side of this tank are the fuel deservice pad (west) and the oxidizer
deservice pad (east). To the south of the fuel deservice pad lies the gaseous hydrogen storage
pad, while the gaseous oxygen storage pad sits to the south of the oxidizer deservice pad. To the
southeast of High Bay 1 is the Fire Pump House (K6-895).
The resource boundary extends from the outer footprint of the Orbiter Processing Facility,
approximately 10 feet to the west, north, and east, and approximately 250 feet to the south, which
includes all necessary components historically required for its functions.
SIGNIFICANCE: The OPF is considered eligible for listing in the NRHP in the context of the
U.S. Space Shuttle Program (1969-2010) under Criteria A in the area of Space Exploration and
under Criterion C in the area of Engineering. Because it has achieved significance within the past
50 years, Criteria Consideration G applies. In addition to its individual eligibility, the OPF is
considered a contributing resource in the Orbiter Processing Historic District. The period of