NASA's Constellation Program Launch Site Progresses
June 4, 2009 // Published as a news service by IHS
Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center was transferred from the Space Shuttle Program to the Constellation Program in preparation for the first flight test of the agency's next-generation spacecraft and launch system.
Ground operations personnel will modify pad B in preparation for the Ares I-X rocket launch, targeted for no earlier than Aug. 30.
Launch pad modifications include removing the orbiter access arm and a section of the gaseous oxygen vent arm, and installing access platforms and a vehicle stabilization system.
The Constellation Program is developing the Ares I and Ares V launch vehicles, the Orion crew capsule and the Altair lunar lander to transport astronauts to the International Space Station, the moon and beyond.
Launch Pad 39B was built for the Saturn V rockets to launch the Apollo capsules to the moon. In July 1975, the pad was modified to support space shuttle operations.
The first shuttle to launch was Challenger in January 1986.
The handover to the Constellation Program took place May 31 after space shuttle Endeavour was moved to Launch Pad 39A.
For more information about NASA's next-generation spacecraft, visit the Constellation - NASA's New Spacecraft: Ares and Orion web page.
Source: NASA.