"Lee Jay" wrote in message Chris Bennetts wrote:
Lee Jay wrote:
It avoids the risk of the payload being jolted around too much while the
orbiter is being stacked in the VAB, and during roll-out. It can't be
I can buy the second two reasons, but I can't believe the accelerations
endured during stacking and rollout are close to those seen during
launch.

he didn't say 'accelerations,' he said 'jolted.' launch is a ~8-9 minute
period of vibration, acceleration, etc.. just the trip to the pad is what,
the better part of a day? neglilgible acceleration, but i'd think a decent
amount of vibration. if payload includes delicate instrumentation/hardware..
why subject it to that duration of needless abuse?

-r (admittedly conjecture.. but it kinda makes sense)