Path: utzoo!utgpu!watmath!iuvax!rutgers!att!cbnewsh!mrb1
From: mrb1@cbnewsh.ATT.COM (maurice.r.baker)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: VAB-madness
Keywords: VAB Vandenberg AFB Shuttle
Message-ID: <2995@cbnewsh.ATT.COM>
Date: 10 Aug 89 16:52:48 GMT
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 29

Hi ---

With all the recent postings about the meaning of "VAB", and the flurry
of press coverage for the latest mission, the following question came to
mind:

		There must be a "VAB-like" structure at Vandenberg AFB
		for the (presently) abandoned Space Launch Complex intended as
		a Shuttle launch site.  What do they call it ?

While we're at it,

		1.) Are there any good written references re: Shuttle
			launching facilities at Vandenberg (i.e., journal
			articles, books, etc.) which come to mind ?

		2.) How close to "done" is it ?  I know there was some
			problems with poor workmanship (welds?), etc. along
			with a potential for H2 build-up at base of pad (think
			this may have been "fixed" before mothballing) but
			what would it take to make it operational if facility
			in Florida were somehow destroyed or otherwise made
			unavailable ?  Is this even an option ?


More enquiring minds want to know, I guess.

M. Baker
hoqub!mrb