Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!apple!agate!sag4.ssl.berkeley.edu!jandres
From: jandres@sag4.ssl.berkeley.edu (Jeff Andres)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: Vandenberg (was Re: Edwards as primary site)
Message-ID: <1991May17.143402.2851@agate.berkeley.edu>
Date: 17 May 91 14:34:02 GMT
References: <1991May12.182355.13384@elroy.jpl.nasa.gov> <32809@usc> <1991May16.141235.13747@MDI.COM>
Sender: root@agate.berkeley.edu (Charlie Root)
Organization: Space Science Labs
Lines: 26

The statement about Vandenburg being unable to support Shuttle lanuches
because of structural problems is correct. At first the pad could not
bear the weight of the shuttle, then after corrective measures the pad
was found out to not give enough! :)

Meanwhile, the construction of SOPC, Shuttle Operations Complex for DoD
missions was being built in Colorado Springs, Co. This complex was being 
built to deal with all shuttle missions, but was going to be the primary
launch control for DoD missions. 

Vandenburg also had environmental problems with what to do with the
hazardous wastes from the fueling process. Sub-contractors were brought
in to determine solutions as to what to do with the waste; my memory
is failing me in exactly what they ever did about this.

I used to work for Ford Aerospace and am quite familiar with the Shuttle
and the Vande complex. As far as the enviro stuff, my father's firm was
involved with that.



^     _____________	                                                ^ 
^    |             |                  Jeff Andres                       ^
^    |             |              jandres@ssl.berkeley.edu              ^
^    |             |             Center For EUV Astrophysics            ^
^    |_____________|        2150 Kittredge Blvd, Berkeley CA 94720      ^