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

Space Shuttle Program Historic Properties 4-4
NASA Kennedy Space Center
roughly half the cost of new construction. In addition, only KSC had abort options for a
first revolution return of the low cross-range orbiter (Jenkins 2001:112).
To help keep costs down, KSC engineers adapted and modified many of the Apollo
launch facilities to serve the needs of the SSP. New facilities were constructed only when
a unique requirement existed. This building, rebuilding and conversion process became
the main activity at KSC during the years following the Apollo-Soyuz flight in 1975.
4.3.1 Modification of Major Facilities
Beginning ca. 1976, major modifications were made to several facilities and properties in
preparation for the first Space Shuttle launch at KSC. Among the key facilities
undergoing change were the VAB, the LCC and LC 39 Pads A and B. Multi-million
dollar contracts for design and construction were awarded to both national and local
firms, including Reynolds, Smith and Hills (RS&H) of Jacksonville, Florida; the Frank
Briscoe Company, Inc. of East Orange, New Jersey; the Algernon Blair Industrial
Contractors, Inc. of Norcross, Georgia; the Holloway Corporation of Titusville, Florida;
and W&J Construction Corporation of Cocoa, Florida.
Alterations to the VAB included modification of two of the four high bays for assembly
of the Space Shuttle vehicle, and changes to the other two high bays to accommodate the
processing and stacking of the SRBs and ET. The north doors were widened by almost 40
feet to permit entry of the towed orbiter. Work platforms shaped to fit the shuttle
configuration were added to High Bay 3 where shuttle assembly takes place, and internal
structural changes were also made to High Bay 4, where the ETs are processed.
On September 10, 1976, a $2.5 million contract was awarded to the Frank Briscoe
Company, Inc. for construction of the ET Processing Support System in High Bay 4 and
a SRB Processing Storage Facility in High Bays 2 and 4. In 1977, Briscoe received
additional contracts for construction and modification in High Bay 3, including
installation of piping systems for air and gases; cable trays for electrical, operational
communication systems and instrumentation lines; plus electrical and operational
communication system cables. Briscoe also added workstands on the extensible platforms
originally used during the Apollo era. The access platforms were reshaped and relocated
to fit the Space Shuttle configuration under another contract. Also in 1977, Briscoe was
awarded a $5.7 million contract to reconfigure work platforms in High Bay 1, to install
ET checkout cells in High Bay 2, and to modify the Low Bay cells. On January 10, 1977,
a $1.3 million contract was awarded to Holloway Corporation of Titusville for
construction of a SRB Refurbishment Facility in the VAB. The contract called for
modification of existing facilities in the Low Bay area to serve as shops and work areas
related to the refurbishment of expended SRBs for reuse. Holloway removed or modified
the platforms in four Low Bay cells.
While no changes to the exterior of the LCC were made, Firing Rooms 1 and 2 were
reconfigured with new consoles and equipment to support the automated Launch
Processing System (LPS) designed for shuttle checkout and launch. Modifications to
support the LPS were initiated in December 1975 by the Holloway Corporation. In
October 2007
Archaeological Consultants, Inc.