The tour of this Delta IV Medium rocket, was extensive and highlighted how United Launch Alliance sends payloads to orbit. Photo Credit: Alan Walters/awaltersphoto.com
Space Launch Complex 37 is where United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV rockets send their payloads into orbit. It is an expansive complex with all the prerequisite requirements to launch rockets as well as birds, alligators and mosquitoes – lots of mosquitoes.
Universe Today was provided with a top to bottom tour of the Mobile Service Tower (MST) that is currently the home of the Delta IV medium rocket that will launch a GPS rocket to orbit on July 14. This structure in and of itself is impressive, standing as tall as a football field is long.
The very top of the Delta IV's payload fairing is visible in this image on Level 9 of the MST. This segment was added on June 27, after the Delta IV launch vehicle had been tested and verified ready for flight. Photo Credit: Alan Walters/awaltersphoto.com
When one reaches the ninth level, the ‘tip of the spear’ juts out from the floor. At the base, just peeking out from the deck below is the U.S. Air Force logo for the Global Positioning Wing. We would have to go down another level to see the remainder of the logo – it was that large.
As we traveled deck by deck, more and more of the rocket became visible. The simple act of taking the stairs or an elevator added a layer of understanding to the sheer size of these vehicles. Photo Credit: Alan Walters/awaltersphoto.com
It is at this level that where the fairing section is mated to the top of the rocket is plainly visible. A Boeing logo is also visible on the rocket’s hull. It turns out that while some of the more specialized missions have large decals produced for them – for missions such as this one (this rocket will carry the GPS 2F-2 satellite) a series of stencils are used.
Old Glory meets us on Level Seven. To the left and right of the rocket are large openings that allow the Delta IV Heavy's triple-body design to fit inside the MST. Photo Credit: Alan Walters/awaltersphoto.com
On some of the lower decks it wasn’t actually the rocket itself that was interesting – but rather what was not there that intrigued us. Two large circular holes are positioned to either side of the Delta IV medium rocket – this is to accommodate the triple-body design of the rocket’s far-larger cousin – the Delta IV Heavy. For now these portals are covered in mesh and blocked off by railings.
The view on Level Six was all about product-placement as ULA's logo was very visible on this deck. Photo Credit: Alan Walters/awaltersphoto.com
Nearer the base we come across products of Utah’s Alliant Techsystems (ATK) – two solid rocket motors are mounted to either side of the Delta IV and will provide the vehicle the extra needed push to get its payload out of Earth’s gravity well.
After descending several stories we were finally moving away from the white "top" section of the rocket. Photo Credit: Alan Walters/awaltersphoto.com
It is sometimes difficult to get experts that work on the machines to translate what they do into language that the general public can understand. It was obvious that the ULA representative that conducted the tour – was well aware of this. Making sure that we had the specific technical names and numbers of what we were looking at – but more accessible means of comprehending the numbers we were given.
A different angle of the previous level shows the Florida coastline stretching out in the distance. Photo Credit: Alan Walters/awaltersphoto.com
“Room with a view”
Alan Walters, a professional photojournalist that has covered the space program for the past few years has a keen eye and suggested on one of the middle levels that I work my way around the rocket to take in the scenery. To say that it takes your breath away does not give the landscape that stretches out in front of you justice. Florida’s Space Coast arches out for miles in front of you. An early-morning storm was blowing into the region the day of the tour – adding to the spectacle.
Alan Walters, a professional photojournalist that has covered the space program for the past few years has a keen eye and suggested on one of the middle levels that I work my way around the rocket to take in the scenery. To say that it takes your breath away does not give the landscape that stretches out in front of you justice. Florida’s Space Coast arches out for miles in front of you. An early-morning storm was blowing into the region the day of the tour – adding to the spectacle.
The Delta IV 4, 2 has two strap-on solid rocket boosters which help carry the rocket and its payload to orbit. Photo Credit: Alan Walters/awaltersphoto.com
If one looks to the right of this picture one can see the famous Cape Canaveral Lighthouse off in the distance. Photo Credit: Alan Walters/awaltersphoto.com
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