"Rusty Barton" wrote in message
...
Which launch facilities will an OSP use? Is NASA going to use Pads 37
& 40 for an OSP, or will it be assembled in the VAB and ride the
crawler to Pads 39A & B? It's kind of the same dilemma that NASA faced
with the Saturn IB for the Skylab project.

That's the subject of several trade studies going on right now (and which
I'm lucky enough to participate in - seems that USA pad rat experience was
good for something, after all). A number of interesting options are in play,
involving SLC 37A & B, 39, 40, and 41. Imagine being asked to design a pad
that can handle two different launch vehicles - that's the challenge of the
Cx 39 study. Add to that the confusion of being given three generic shapes
for OSP and having to accomodate them in the design. Not knowing where the
crew hatch is going to be adds more uncertainty These are just studies,
providing ROM numbers and lots of ideas, but I don't know how the decision
process will flow after the studies are done.

But, wings are not much use on the way to the moon or Mars. ;-)

Chesley Bonestell thought they were!

-Kim-