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

Space Shuttle Program Historic Properties 6-26
NASA Kennedy Space Center
identical to the MDD constructed at Dryden Flight Research Center in California. In
addition to the two permanent MDDs at KSC and Dryden, two other NASA-owned
devices were configured for the SSP. These include the Orbiter Lifting Frame (OLF) in
Palmdale, California (originally at VLS) and a mobile derrick-and-crane MDD built in
1976 at MSFC. The latter was subsequently disassembled and transported to the White
Sands Missile Range in New Mexico to support the third Shuttle landing in 1982. It is no
longer extant.
The KSC MDD was used to detach the prototype Enterprise as well as all five
operational orbiters upon their original delivery from Palmdale, California. It also played
an important role in the return of the orbiters to KSC when the main landing site was
Edwards AFB (until 1984), and periodically throughout the program when weather or
other issues necessitated the use of the Edwards facility for landing. It is also used to
mate the orbiter and SCA for ferry flights to Palmdale for routine maintenance or
significant modifications.
The MDD is located at the northeast corner of the parking apron at the SLF. Its overall
dimensions are 105 ft in length (east-west axis), 93 ft in width (north-south axis), and 105
ft in height. The open steel truss frame rests on a concrete base and utilizes open grating
for the six deck levels, located at 4 ft, 20 ft, 40 ft, 60 ft, 80 ft, and 100 ft above grade. The
MDD features two orbiter access arms, which can be raised and lowered within the first
60 ft. Between these arms is the orbiter sling back, which is connected to the orbiter in
order to lift it with the use of three 50-ton hoists. There are also two sets of moveable
platforms at 15-ft 7-in and 44 ft 3-in above grade. These are shaped around the orbiter’s
nose, and are hinged to raise and lower vertically. At the northeast and southeast corners
are open-grate metal stairs, which extend from ground level to the highest deck. The
original navigation equipment for the runway sat at the top of the MDD until early 2006.
The MDD, classified as both a Resource Associated with Transportation and a Resource
Associated with Space Flight Recovery, is considered eligible for listing in the NRHP in
the context of the U.S. Space Shuttle Program (1969-2010) under Criterion A in the areas
of Space Exploration and Transportation as one of only two such permanent devices
constructed with the specific purpose of enabling the attachment and detachment of the
Space Shuttle orbiter and the Boeing 747 SCA. It is also significant under Criterion C in
the area of Engineering, as it clearly embodies the distinctive characteristics of its design
and method of construction. Because it has achieved exceptional significance within the
past 50 years, Criteria Consideration G applies. In addition to its individual eligibility, the
MDD is a contributing resource within the SLF Area Historic District. The MDD
maintains a high level of integrity with regards to location, design, setting, materials,
workmanship, feeling, and association.
October 2007
Archaeological Consultants, Inc.