Thursday, July 21, 2011

Orbiter Processing Facility #nasatweetup

We did not get tours of the Orbiter Processing Facilities because Endeavor, and  Discovery, are/were there going through the decommissioning process (not that I think they ever do tours there).

The Orbiter Processing Facilities  is where the orbiter  undergoes safing procedures in the OPF which include removing residual fuels and explosive ordnance items. Then the orbiter's previous mission payloads are removed and the vehicle is fully inspected, tested, and refurbished for its next mission.

    OPF-1 and OPF-2 consist of two 2,700 sq meter (29,000 sq ft) high bays and are separated by a 2,130 sq meter (23,600 sq ft) low bay while OPF-3 is across the street.IMG_5618

    OPF Statistics

    • Maximum Height: 29 meters (95 ft).
    • Maximum Length: 121 meters (397 ft).
    • Maximum width: 71 meters (233 ft).
    OPF-3 was previously called the Orbiter Maintenance & Refurbishment Facility (OMRF) but has been upgraded to a fully functioning Orbiter Processing Facility. IMG_5617OPF-3 is located across the street from OPF-1 and OPF-2. It is 4,645 sq meters (50,000 sq ft) facility. It consists of a high bay 29 meters high (95 ft) high and a two-story low bay area.

IMG_5616
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