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From: hoyme@SRC.Honeywell.COM (Ken Hoyme)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: Mate-Demate Facility
Message-ID: <53547@srcsip.UUCP>
Date: 12 Jan 90 16:08:18 GMT
References: <675@dftsrv.gsfc.nasa.gov> <32828@iuvax.cs.indiana.edu> <679@dftsrv.gsfc.nasa.gov> <920@xroads.UUCP>
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In-reply-to: pubtendr@xroads.UUCP's message of 11 Jan 90 16:48:25 GMT

Yes, the mate-demate facility is not mobile.  If you really want pictures, go
to KSC, take the shuttle facilities bus tour, and take your own.  When I went
on this, they took to bus out on the shuttle landing strip right near the
mate-demate facility.  It was a point where we were allowed to get off the
bus.  This was quite a few years ago, (>5), so I claim no knowledge of current
tour routes.

The really interesting mechanical lift problems occur if they ever abort to
one of the alternate landing sites without a permanent mate-demate device.  I
worked on a shuttle support contract back in '83-'84 where we got into
discussions as to how they would get the shuttle back to KSC if it ended up in
Africa.  As I recall, the would need to ship a heavy portable crane and pour a
concrete pad for support so that they could lift it on to the 747.  There were
only a couple of cranes in the world that could be diasassembled, flown there
and have the lift capability.  There would be a couple of weeks delay while
they did this.  (And an obviously circuitous route back to the states)

Ken Hoyme                    Honeywell Systems and Research Center
(612)782-7354                3660 Technology Dr., Minneapolis, MN 55418
Internet: hoyme@src.honeywell.com