Monday, March 12, 2012
SpaceX eyes shuttle launch pad for heavy-lift rocket
SpaceX and NASA are in advanced discussions for the private space firm to use Kennedy Space Center’s pad 39A, one of the spaceport’s Apollo and space shuttle launch sites, as the Florida base for its Falcon Heavy rocket, officials said.
NASA and SpaceX are studying how to assemble and launch Falcon Heavy rockets from pad 39A, including adding a facility to horizontally integrate the launcher’s core stage, two strap-on boosters and upper stage, according to William Hill, assistant deputy associate administrator for NASA’s exploration systems division.
With 28 liquid-fueled core, booster and upper stage engines, the Falcon Heavy rocket is a behemoth booster designed to launch human and robotic exploration missions, massive U.S. military satellites, and huge payloads for commercial clients at competitive prices. Its first demonstration launch from California is scheduled for 2013.
SpaceX plans to piece the rocket together on its side, then roll it to the launch pad and lift it vertical before liftoff. Fully fueled and assembled for launch, the Falcon Heavy will weigh 3.1 million pounds and stand 227 feet tall, according to SpaceX.
“KSC did an assessment of options for SpaceX to consider relative to their non-exclusive use of pad 39A,” said Michael Braukus, a NASA spokesperson, in an email to Spaceflight Now. “KSC is currently in a second round of more detailed discussion; however, no decisions have been made by either NASA or SpaceX at this time.”
The space agency has been looking to turn over some of its mothballed shuttle infrastructure to commercial programs, and one of the space center’s three orbiter hangars will be home of final assembly and testing for a Boeing crew capsule bidding to ferry astronauts to the International Space Station.
Part of the Vehicle Assembly Building, the shuttle’s mobile launch platforms, and the KSC runway are also available to commercial entities.
Full article: http://www.spaceflig … s/n1203/11spacex39a/
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