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Orbital Antares User Manual

Page 65

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Antares

®

OSP-3

User’s Guide

Section 7.0

– Ground and Launch Operations

Release 1.1

July 2013

54

7.2.2.1. Antares Launch Pad at WFF

Antares missions from WFF will launch from
Launch Pad 0A, illustrated in Figure 7.2.2.1-1.
The launch pad and launch site are owned and
operated by MARS and provide the facilities and
infrastructure required to support the erection,
fueling, final checkout, and launch of the An-
tares integrated launch vehicle. The Launch
Pad 01 facility:

Supports the horizontal transportation of
the LV to the launch pad deck, erection
and hold down of the integrated launch
vehicle, and performance of Wet Dress

Rehearsals (WDRs) prior to launches

Houses the EGSE in an environmentally controlled area, protecting the EGSE from the launch
environment, and provides communication and data connectivity

Provides environmental control to the integrated launch vehicle, including payload

Supports the storage and conditioning of fluids and propellants and the loading and unloading of
propellants to and from the launch vehicle

Protects the launch vehicle and pad structure from acoustic and thermal environments induced by
the engine plume during launches and stage testing


The WFF Launch Pad 0A complex provides the following support elements:

Raised pad consisting of launch mount, flame duct, and lightning towers

Launch vehicle erection mechanism accommodations

Water deluge system

LEVs for protection of EGSE

Fueling systems and tanks and compressed gas storage tank skid

Cable and fueling trenches

ECS accommodations

Facility infrastructure, including road access, power, and communications

Safety provisions, including indication of hazardous operations, emergency situation warning sys-

tems, and lightning protection

Security provisions, including launch complex access and enclosure of the launch complex by a

perimeter fence.


7.2.2.2. Launch Control Center (LCC)

The WFF LCC (Building W-20), shown in Figure

7.2.2.2-1, is an existing blockhouse type facility that
provides launch control for Antares launches from
WFF. The LCC houses the control and telemetry
consoles for the Antares launch vehicle and the
payload as well as limited Orbital, Range Safety,
and customer personnel supporting launch control
operations. The LCC provides launch command
and control primary and backup positions for the

Figure 7.2.2.1-1. WFF Launch Pad 0A

Figure 7.2.2.2-1. WFF Launch Control Center