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

Space Shuttle Program Historic Properties 6-27
NASA Kennedy Space Center
6.2.14 Orbiter Processing Historic District (8BR1990)
Photo 6.16. Orbiter Processing Facilities, looking east.
(Source: Archaeological Consultants, Inc., 2007)
The Orbiter Processing Historic District is located in the VAB Area of KSC. It includes
three individually NRHP-eligible properties: the OPF (High Bays 1 and 2), the OPF High
Bay 3 (OPF-3) (which includes the SSMEPF), and the TPSF. Descriptions of these are
provided in Sections 6.2.15, 6.2.16 and 6.2.17, respectively. The boundary of the historic
district is contiguous with the footprints of the three contributing resources.
The three individually eligible and contributing resources within the historic district were
constructed between 1977 and 1998 to support the SSP. In 1977, the OPF was
constructed exclusively to prepare the Space Shuttle Orbiter for flight. OPF 1 was the
first operational high bay; use of OPF 2 began in 1982 or 1983. Currently, the two high
bays support the processing of the Orbiters Atlantis and Endeavour, respectively. OPF
High Bay 3, originally built in 1987 as the OMRF, was converted to an OPF in 1989-
1991. It currently supports processing of the Orbiter Discovery. In 1996-1998, the
SSMEPF was added to provide the capabilities for post-flight inspections and
maintenance and functional check-out of all engine systems prior to installation in the
orbiters. The TPSF was built in 1988 specifically to manufacture TPS materials for use in
the Space Shuttle.
The Orbiter Processing Historic District, classified within the Vehicle Processing
Facilities property type, is considered eligible for listing in the NRHP in the context of
the U.S. Space Shuttle Program (1969-2010) under Criteria A and C in the areas of Space
Exploration and Engineering, respectively. Because it has achieved exceptional
significance within the past 50 years, Criteria Consideration G applies. The Orbiter
Processing Historic District contains NASA’s only facilities designed and built
exclusively to support pre-flight and post-landing processing of the Space Shuttle orbiter.
October 2007
Archaeological Consultants, Inc.