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

Space Shuttle Program Historic Properties 6-28
NASA Kennedy Space Center
The design and method of construction of the OPF and OPF-3 clearly embody the
specific requirements of the Space Shuttle Program. Both the SSMEPF within the OPF-3
and the TPSF were uniquely designed and built to improve the process flow of the
inspection and refurbishment of the SSMEs prior to and following each mission, as well
as TPS manufacture and installation. The Orbiter Processing Historic District maintains a
high level of integrity with regards to location, design, setting, materials, feeling, and
association.
6.2.15 Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) High Bays 1 and 2 (8BR1991)
Photo 6.17. Orbiter Processing Facility (High Bays 1 and 2), north and east elevations.
(Source: Archaeological Consultants, Inc., 2006)
The OPF (High Bays 1 and 2), constructed in 1977 by the Frank Briscoe Company, Inc.
of East Orange, New Jersey, is located to the east of Kennedy Parkway, at the southwest
corner of the intersection of the orbiter towway and Utility Road, in the VAB area of
KSC. The OPF was designed and built exclusively to prepare the Space Shuttle Orbiter
for flight. Operations performed within the OPF include draining and purging the fuel
systems, removing ordnance, repairing/replacing damaged components, inspecting/
refurbishing the TPS, inspecting/testing orbiter systems and installing/removing
payloads. High Bay 1 was the first operational high bay. High Bay 2 was first used for
orbiter processing in 1982 or 1983. Currently, the two high bays are each devoted to a
single orbiter, Atlantis in High Bay 1 and Endeavour in High Bay 2. On-going
modifications have been made to the equipment housed within the structure over the past
10-12 years; however, the basic exterior structure has remained unchanged.
The facility as a whole contains two high bays, or hangars (High Bay 1 and High Bay 2),
a low bay, an office and training annex, fuel and oxidizer deservicing pads, gaseous
hydrogen and oxygen storage pads, a hypergol storage tank, and a fire pump house.
Overall, the OPF measures 236 ft in length (north-south axis), 398 ft in width (east-west
axis), and 95 ft in height. The exterior fabric consists of corrugated metal, supported by a
steel frame. It has a poured concrete slab floor and a flat, built-up roof. It is arranged so
October 2007
Archaeological Consultants, Inc.