Shuttle Atlantis takes a detour on its way to launch pad 39

Space Shuttle Atlantis arrived at Launch Pad 39B today at about 8:30 a.m., but not before a weekend visit to KSC’s new "Safe Haven" in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). While preparing Atlantis for its targeted Sept. 8 launch date, KSC Shuttle managers orchestrated an unprecedented move of the Space Shuttle to the VAB’s recently renovated west side for a fit check.
 
In August of 1999, contractors began an extensive two-year renovation project on VAB high bays 2 and 4 and the crawlerway that carries a Space Shuttle to and from the launch pad. The modification was needed to improve KSC’s ability to store and protect Shuttle flight hardware during hurricane season and to increase processing flexibility with an upcoming busy launch schedule.
 
Under a $3 million NASA contract, RUSH Construction of Titusville, FL, extended the crawler transporter pathway from the VAB’s east side into VAB high bay 2 on the building’s west side. The 1250-foot extension was topped-off with about 3,000 tons of river rock. Crews also constructed a new orbiter tow-way into VAB high bay 4.
 
KWI Construction, Inc. of Merritt Island, FL, went to work under a $1.8 million United Space Alliance contract renovating the inside of both western VAB high bays 2 and 4. In high bay 2, crews removed a 125-ton crane, modified the steel frame, and completed significant floor and foundation work – including replacement of the existing Mobile Launcher Platform mounts. Utility infrastructure for electrical, potable water, gaseous helium, nitrogen, and compressed air was also installed.
 
KWI also prepared VAB high bay 4 for horizontal orbiter storage capability. A protective canopy was installed above the orbiter storage area and operational communication equipment is now in place. Limited utilities were also installed. With construction completed on schedule in May, engineers only lacked a Space Shuttle fit check to add confidence that their design on paper was fully functional.
 
Orbiter Atlantis arrived in KSC’s Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) on May 29 after completing mission STS-101. It then moved to Vehicle Assembly Building high bay 1 on Aug. 7 to be mated to the external tank and solid rocket boosters. At 3 a.m. on Aug. 13, Space Shuttle Atlantis and the crawler transporter lumbered out of VAB high bay 1, traversed the newly laid crawlerway and successfully arrived in high bay 2 at about 7:30 a.m. Hours later, Atlantis was en route to the launch pad to undergo final preparation for its upcoming launch.
 
Mission STS-106 will prepare the International Space Station for its first resident crew and begin the outfitting of the newly arrived Zvezda Service Module. The seven-member STS-106 crew will perform support tasks on orbit, transfer supplies and prepare the Zvezda living quarters for the Expedition One crew, due to arrive later this year.
 
The SPACEHAB payload was delivered to the launch pad Aug. 11 and will be installed into the orbiter’s payload bay Aug. 15. Payload testing resumes Aug. 22 and the orbiter payload bay doors will be closed for flight Aug. 30.
 
Atlantis and crew are scheduled to launch on Sept. 8 at about 8:31 a.m. EDT marking the 22nd flight of this orbiter. After 10 days and 21 hours in space, Atlantis returns to KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility Sept. 19 at about 4:45 a.m.
 
NOTE TO EDITORS: Video and still photos of the "Safe Haven" fit check and Shuttle Atlantis’ roll out to Launch Pad 39B are available at the KSC Press Site and on the KSC website at Publisher’s Photo Corner.