Space Shuttle Atlantis
The Fixed Service Structure (FSS) @Kennedy Space Center has a rich history in supporting launches dating back to the early Apollo missions.
As the Saturn-V era was nearing it’s end, the Rotating Service Structure (RSS) was designed and added to LC-39A & LC-39B to support the upcoming Shuttle/Orbiter Program.
Throughout the next 30 years (1981 – 2011) , 135 missions were flown with a fleet of 5 Orbiters.
Prior to the end of the Space Shuttle Program, Buffalo Hydraulic was awarded a contract to design and build a 21 point hydraulic jacking system to lift and document the weight of the RSS at each launch complex. This, so that a determination could be made as to whether or not the structure could support the next generation rocket.
The challenging project determined the weight of LC-39A to be 5,280,000 lbs. while LC-39B weighed 5,342,000 lbs. With several scheduled ‘time-outs’ planned, the lifting tolerance over all 21 points needed to be and was proven digitally within 0.035”.
On January 28, 1986, Space Shuttle Challenger (STS-51-L) suffered a horrific explosion just 73 seconds after launch, killing all seven astronauts.
Tragically, on February 01, 2003, Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-107) disintegrated on re-entry killing all seven of it’s crew.
After completing 25 missions, Space Shuttle Endeavor was retired to the California Science Center in Los Angeles California.
With 39 successful missions, Space Shuttle Discovery was retired and is currently displayed in Virginia at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center – An annex of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum.
Having logged just shy of 126 million miles over 33 missions, Space Shuttle Atlantis has arrived at Kennedy Space Center to begin retirement. Ground was broken on a new $100 million visitor’s complex to house Atlantis in January 2012.
The approximate empty weight of Atlantis is 180,000 lbs. less the solid rocket boosters, fuel tank and payload.
Buffalo Hydraulic was awarded a contract supplying the equipment to provide five points of lift, aiding in the positioning & placement of the new Atlantis display. The shuttle is now officially retired at a 42.31° angle with the bay doors opened and the telescopic arm extended. This unique positioning will allow visitors to be treated to 360° views and was symbolically chosen as the last four numbers of countdown.
This magnificent symbol of space history is now proudly positioned in full glory!