SSU Space Launch Complex 6 development

[DaveS]

Here's the latest development screenshots of SLC-6 at Vandenberg AFB. Anyone feel up to adapting the LC-39 code to it? I guess the easiest way would be to make the SAB, MST and PCR all animated components of the main pad vessel. The Launch Mount code could be adapted from the MLP code as it serves a similar purpose.

---------- Post added at 06:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:58 PM ----------

The SAB is now fully textured and the door panels added:

---------- Post added at 08:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:53 PM ----------

Here's a shot of the MST and SAB in the stacking positions:

---------- Post added at 10:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:11 PM ----------

The final shot for today. The only missing structure is the mobile Payload Changeout Room (PCR). For launch, the PCR would be against the Payload Preparation Center (PPC) which is the left-most building in the screenshot.

 

[DaveS]

Today's status report:

After beginning work on the Payload Changeout Room, I noticed that the Payload Preparation Center had some issues. After a thorough investigation of these issues, it became clear that the PPC had wrong size. So work on the PCR has been suspended until the PPC problems have been corrected.

---------- Post added 06-27-11 at 12:00 AM ---------- Previous post was 06-26-11 at 11:56 PM ----------

A nice overview site of the PPC (today called the Integrated Processing Facility, IPF): http://www.calspace.com/IPF/IPF_Overview.html

 

[DaveS]

I guess a status report is in order:

The problems with the PPC have now been fully corrected and it has also received some nice textures in the process. So work has resumed on the final SLC-6 pad structure, the PCR. It is coming along nicely. With some good luck I'll have it done sometime tomorrow (Tuesday).

Then that leaves only the coding to be done as nothing more can be done from the mesh/texture side.

 

[DaveS]

After much work, here's the first screenshot of the PPC/PCR:

 

[Capt_hensley]

Great work, I'm a big fan of Vandenberg SLC-6, I used to go to the State Beach called Gaviota SP http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=606 , I even watched the twin ICBM launch tests from my back yard in Lancaster CA. I was sadend to hear the complex would never be used by shuttle.

KUTGW, Darren

 

[DaveS]

After a bit of downtime, I finally completed the PCR. It is seen here against the the stack on the Launch Mount:

 

[DaveS]

Managed to find a nice document on SLC-6 which has the column/beam separation distances for the Access Tower. This is a great find since I have been looking for those to make the AT really accurate.

So once I have analyzed the document fully, I'll begin the modifications to the mesh.

Edit:
Just wanted to add a thank you note to everyone who has pressed the "Thanks" button the prior posts in this thread!

---------- Post added 07-28-11 at 01:30 AM ---------- Previous post was 07-27-11 at 02:07 AM ----------

Here's a in-sim screenshot of the new redone Access Tower. Right now I just need to add the lightning mast and the various diagonal struts and it is done.

 

[DaveS]

Latest work on the Vandenberg AFB Orbiter Lifting Frame(OLF):

---------- Post added at 11:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:17 PM ----------

Here's the OLM with the orbiter sling added. Just need to do some closeout work and add the forward and rear strobe lights and it is done.

---------- Post added 08-08-11 at 12:24 AM ---------- Previous post was 08-07-11 at 11:45 PM ----------

Checked in the OLF mesh. It would be nice if someone could get it running as a vessel.

 

[DaveS]

Here's the latest near complete Access Tower:

 

[Mojave]

**Whew** Nice job, guys. Keep up the great work! :thumbup:

 

[Interceptor]

Really awesome looking detail Dave S, you,and the SSU team are truly Maistros.Thanks

 

[DaveS]

Thanks to a poster on NASASpacelfight.com, I have obtained a nice document on the FWC SRMs that were going to be used for launches out of Vandenberg. How hard would it be to implement those?

The document lists all of the technical performance numbers so worries there. Just need a new set of meshes which I'll make if someone can implement them.

Here's two images I have come across on the FWC SRMs:

Static test SRM:

Pathfinder mated to MPTA ET and FWC SRMs:

 

[SiameseCat]

We could probably load the SRB type from the config file, the way we do the external tank. I can implement this, if you give me the numbers and create the meshes.

 

[T.Neo]

Pathfinder mated to MPTA ET and FWC SRMs:

I thought Pathfinder was mated to the cancelled ASRMs. Did they change them out at some point?

Or is that just a lie and they painted the FWC boosters to look more 'normal'?

 

[DaveS]

I thought Pathfinder was mated to the cancelled ASRMs. Did they change them out at some point?

Or is that just a lie and they painted the FWC boosters to look more 'normal'?

Based on my research, it's the FWC SRMs. The nozzles and forward/aft skirts are dummy mock-ups although at least the forward/aft skirts used to be real until NASA requested them back to be used in the operational rotation of SRB components at KSC.

---------- Post added at 02:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:31 AM ----------

We could probably load the SRB type from the config file, the way we do the external tank. I can implement this, if you give me the numbers and create the meshes.

Here's the numbers:

Propellant loading: 1,105,486 lbm
Empty mass: 117,074 lbm
Action time Impulse (lbf-sec): 297.53 x 10⁶
Action time I_SP (lbf-sec/lbm): 267.53
Action time (sec): 121.28
Burn time (sec): 110.93
Burn time, average vacuum thrust (lbf): 2,617,000
Action time, average vacuum thrust (lbf): 2,453,000
MOP (psia): 927.8
MOF (lbf): 3,329,000
Burn rate (ips): 0.369
Average nozzle expansion ratio: 7.48

I'll get on the meshes.

 

[Donamy]

should be fairly easy for you. :thumbup:

 

[DaveS]

The FWC meshes have been checked in. As you'll notice, the FWC boosters were both longer and thicker than their standard steel counterparts. The longer length comes from a longer forward segment while the aft segment is slightly shorter. The two center segments remain the same length(320").

 

[DaveS]

How's the module mods coming along?

 

[SiameseCat]

Based on my research, it's the FWC SRMs. The nozzles and forward/aft skirts are dummy mock-ups although at least the forward/aft skirts used to be real until NASA requested them back to be used in the operational rotation of SRB components at KSC.

---------- Post added at 02:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:31 AM ----------



Here's the numbers:

Propellant loading: 1,105,486 lbm
Empty mass: 117,074 lbm
Action time Impulse (lbf-sec): 297.53 x 10⁶
Action time I_SP (lbf-sec/lbm): 267.53
Action time (sec): 121.28
Burn time (sec): 110.93
Burn time, average vacuum thrust (lbf): 2,617,000
Action time, average vacuum thrust (lbf): 2,453,000
MOP (psia): 927.8
MOF (lbf): 3,329,000
Burn rate (ips): 0.369
Average nozzle expansion ratio: 7.48

I'll get on the meshes.

Do you know what MOP & MOF stand for?

 

[Urwumpe]

Do you know what MOP & MOF stand for?

Maximum Operating Pressure

Maximum Operating (thrust-) Force

And the burn rate is given in inch per second, if you wanted to ask.