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

opens onto the roof of the annex. From here, access is provided to the ground via a set of metal
steps on the east elevation.
The east and west elevations of the high bays are mirror images of one another. Each has a 22-ftwide
by 40-ft-high metal vertical lift door, divided into four sections. Like those of the north
elevation, these doors are surrounded by a 3.5-ft-deep projection that contains the door tracks and
lifting mechanisms. On each elevation, there is a single metal swing door for personnel to the
south of the lifting door. The west elevation of the southern annex contains six pairs of metal
swing doors; the east elevation of the annex contains one pair of metal swing doors, and a single
metal swing door.
Within the southern annex of the HMP are offices and support rooms for the test cells (high
bays). There is also a clean room at the north end, as well as an electrical equipment room and a
mechanical equipment room. The low bay area also contains support rooms for the two test cells,
including test equipment rooms and a communications room on the second floor level.
The significant areas of the HMP are the two high bays, where the orbiter maneuvering system
(OMS) pods are serviced between missions. Each test cell measures approximately 38 ft by 38 ft,
and contains four platform levels that form a “U” opening to the east or west in the east test cell
and west test cell, respectively. These levels are located at 12 ft, 19.5 ft, 27 ft and 35 ft above the
finished floor. At all four levels, the rear platform is 10 ft wide and extends through the width of
the test cell, while the platforms along the north and south walls are 11 ft wide, and extend from
the rear platform to the outer wall of the cell. This creates a 15-ft-wide by 29-ft-long opening for
the OMS pod. Within the opening at the 12-ft, 19.5-ft, and 27-ft levels are hinged platforms,
which are shaped around the OMS pod, that flip up to allow placement of the pod. Additional
features of each test cell are metal stairs within the north and south platforms and a 10-ton bridge
crane, with rails along the north and south walls.
The resource boundary extends from the footprint of the Hypergol Module Processing (North)
facility, approximately 10 feet, which includes all necessary components historically required to
support its functions.
SIGNIFICANCE: The HMP is considered eligible for listing in the NRHP under Criterion A in
the context of the U.S. Space Shuttle Program (1969-2010) in the area of Space Exploration.
Because it has achieved significance within the past 50 years, Criteria Consideration G applies.
The period of significance for the HMP is from 1979, when the first flight-ready orbiter arrived at
KSC for launch preparations, 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. It is a one of a kind facility used for processing the
OMS pods, with the incorporated RCS, key components of the Space Shuttle vehicle system. As
such, the HMP 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 HMP is in good condition and maintains integrity of location, design, setting,
materials, workmanship, feeling, and association.