The Mobile Concept in Launch Facilities

The concept of erection and pre-launch checkout of a complete space launch vehicle on its launcher within an assembly building and then transporting the assembled vehicle and launcher to launch site is discussed. Reference is made to the launch complexes for the Saturn I and Saturn IB launch vehicles as examples of launch complex growth and a brief review of the development of the mobile launcher concept is given. The tracked crawler mode of transportation is mentioned and details of the design and operating characteristics of the crawler-transporters are described. The loads and environmental conditions which the Saturn V mobile launchers are subjected to are briefly reviewed and the effects of these loads on the design of the various parts of the structure and its support systems are considered. Dimensions and weights of the completed structure and of certain major members therein are described in order to convey an idea of the magnitude of the mobile launch structure. The materials used in the structure and the reasons for their selection are reviewed briefly and pertinent details of fabrication and erection are described.