Processing time, Soyuz, Shuttle and CEV

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John Doe - 30 Sep 2005 08:28 GMT

Shuttle spends time in the OPF getting ready/maintained. Then it goes to
VAB where the stack is assembled, then moved to the pad where it spends
about a month for further outfitting and loading of cargo bay.

In an original scenario of high frequency launches, I could see a point
in this since it would allow some pipelining of work to be done. (one
orbiter on pad while one in VAB and one entering OPF). But in reality,
it seems rather onerous and time consuming at the real life launch rates.

Soyuz on the other hand is assembled just days befoer launch, moved to
pad a day or two before launch, and voila.

Has NASA given any indication of what sort of processing flow it expects
for its Apollo-on-Steroids CEV ? Will it be closer to the shuttle or to
Soyuz ?

Did NASA really need the RSS on the pad ?

If all RSS work had been done in the VAB, how much time would have bene
required between the time the shuttle arrives on the pad and Shuttle
launch ? 6 days ? 2 days ? 1 day ?

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ed kyle - 30 Sep 2005 16:37 GMT

> Shuttle spends time in the OPF getting ready/maintained. Then it goes to
> VAB where the stack is assembled, then moved to the pad where it spends
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Did NASA really need the RSS on the pad ?

One of the reasons for integrating payloads on
the pad was that hazardous SRB stacking operations
in the adjacent high bay would interrupt payload
integration work. Another reason may have been that
secret DoD payloads were going to be integrated.

> If all RSS work had been done in the VAB, how much time would have bene
> required between the time the shuttle arrives on the pad and Shuttle
> launch ? 6 days ? 2 days ? 1 day ?

The fastest rollout to launch times for Spacelab
type missions (Spacelab payloads were integrated
in the OPF prior to rollout) were two weeks. I
suspect that it could be done in a few days less
time than that in a crunch.

- Ed Kyle

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ed kyle - 30 Sep 2005 21:14 GMT

> Soyuz on the other hand is assembled just days befoer launch, moved to
> pad a day or two before launch, and voila.

The quick final Soyuz/R-7 processing is unquestionably
impressive, but that final integration is only the
tip of the iceberg. The vehicle stages and payload
are checked out over a period of weeks prior to this
final integration. The Russians minimize checkout
of the fully integrated vehicle, and with over
1,700 launches they have a sound basis for doing
things the way they do.

But the Soyuz launch vehicle checkout will be
lengthened at Kourou, where plans call for the launch
vehicle to be erected, for the first time, without a
payload. A separate mobile tower is being built
there to allow on-pad payload integration.

- Ed Kyle

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Space Forum / Shuttle / September 2005

Processing time, Soyuz, Shuttle and CEV