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

NAME(S): Rotation/Processing Building
FACILITY NO.: K6-494
FLORIDA MASTER SITE FILE NO.: 8BR1997
LOCATION: VAB Area within the Rotation Processing and Surge Facility
PROPERTY TYPE: Vehicle Processing Facilities
DATE(S): 1984
ARCHITECT/ENGINEER: Daniel Mann Johnson and Mendenhall
USE (ORIGINAL/CURRENT): The Rotation/Processing Building was constructed specifically
to rotate the Space Shuttle SRB segments. The original and current uses are the same.
HISTORICAL DATA: The RPB, along with the remainder of the RPSF complex, was designed
by Daniel Mann Johnson and Mendenhall in 1982 and constructed in 1984. The RPB was
specifically constructed for the purpose of rotating the SRB segments, an operation originally
performed in High Bays 2 and 4 of the VAB. This function is a critical component to the
preparation of the Space Shuttle Vehicle for launch. Following a launch, the recovered SRB fuel
casings are refurbished at Hangar AF within the CCAFS, and are transported by rail to the ATK
Thiokol manufacturing plant in Utah for refueling. The reloaded SRB segments, or new SRB
segments, are then transported by rail to the RPB from the manufacturing facility. The train
tracks enter into the RPB, where the SRB segments are rotated and placed in one of two
workstands. The six-level workstands provide the means for personnel to inspect the SRB
segments and prepare them for flight. Each platform level is strategically placed to enable certain
tasks, some of which depend on the particular SRB segment. Level 6 allows the external tank
(ET) ring and tunnel cables to be installed and closed-out; Level 5 enables the installation and
close-out of stiffener rings, tunnel cables and tunnel covers. Level 4 allows the same functions as
Level 5, but also provides the capacity for stiffener ring foam application. Level 3 functions
include field joint close-out, tunnel cable installation, tunnel cover installation and close-out,
foam application, and the mating of the aft skirt to the aft SRB segment. Level 2 allows for
thermal curtain installation, rain curtain installation, aft skirt and internal ring foam application,
and aft exit cone installation and close-out; Level 1 is a general work area. Once this work is
completed, the SRB segments are moved to one of two pallet stands, where they are placed on
transporters, and moved to one of the ancillary surge buildings for storage until final mating
operations in the VAB.
DESCRIPTION: The RPB is an Industrial Vernacular-style structure that measures
approximately 199 feet (ft) in length (east-west), 90 ft in width (north-south), and 100 ft in height,
overall. It is composed of a structural steel skeleton faced with ribbed metal sheeting, and it rests
on a poured concrete slab foundation and has a flat, built-up roof. The principal façade of the
RPB is the north elevation. Beginning 16 ft to the west of the centerline, and extending 54 ft to
the east of the centerline is an 11-ft-deep, full-height projection. At the west end of the
projection, corresponding to the centerline of the elevation, is a two-leaf vertical lift door used for
vertical solid rocket booster (SRB) segments. The door measures roughly 30 ft wide and 90 ft
high, and each leaf contains three segments. To the east end of this door is a pair of metal swing
doors that open into the facility’s lobby, followed by a single metal swing door, which leads to a
stairwell. To the east of the projection is a second pair of metal swing doors followed by a ribbon