"Reed Snellenberger" wrote in message
...
That was interesting... looks like a (4,2) version.
Yes, it is. For a while, I was working on the certification process for this
mission. NASA's Launch Services Program office was initially performing
mission integration for this launch, but the customer (NOAA) decided to go
with an FAA launch license. That meant LSP backed out of the insight role,
but continued to collect and analyze data as part of the launcher
certification process.
I'd be interested in any pictures of the pad attachment process -- after
they finish tipping the booster up, are there alignment/indexing posts
that make certain the pad fixtures are lined up? How many hold-down
posts, how big, etc. Something along the lines of the pictures Kim
Keller snapped of the shuttle's attachment hardware -- preferably without
anyone getting fired this time, though...
At the present time I don't have any photos, and since Delta IV is a
commercial operation I probably won't be taking any.
Each CBC is attached to a square steel rig with four hold-down posts. Heavy
uses a three-frame assembly. The frame's east side bolts to the launch table
and the booster/frame assembly is rotated to vertical by the fixed pad
erector. Then the west side of the frame is bolted down to the table.
I also looked to see if there was anything that looked like it might be a
RocketCam on the second-stage pictures, but didn't see any likely
candidates -- should be visible, since it looks out over the extended
nozzle once it's in flight. Anyone out there with sharper eyes (or
knowledge of what the RocketCam assembly looks like, which might be more
helpful...)?
I haven't heard anything about a rocketcam for this flight.
-Kim-
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