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Mary Robinette Kowal Profile picture
@MaryRobinette
Aug 10, 2018 • 10 tweets • 6 min read • Read on X
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Don't mind me. I'm just hanging out on launch pad 39-b

#NASAsocial #SolarProbe
The pad is covered with these metal tabs. They exist to bolt 3/4 ply to in order to cushion the concrete from the weight of the crawler.

On the road, they use gravel.

#NASAsocial #SolarProbe
The "business end" of the flame suppression trench.

#NASAsocial #SolarProbe
The flame suppression trench at 39-b

#NASAsocial #SolarProbe
For launch, they get out fire hoses and clean everything off. Then people walk over looking for any debris. Even a piece of gravel can kick up and damage the vehicle.

#NASAsocial #SolarProbe
These booms measure the wind at different levels for launch conditions.

#NASAsocial #SolarProbe
Around the launch pad, there are "sacrifice" telephone poles in front of the actual poles to act as a shield to keep the real ones from burning up or melting.

#NASAsocial #SolarProbe
These tunnels were escape tubes, never used, from Apollo era. They are used now for ventilation and...

They were used in Men in Black 3 as a location.

#NASAsocial #SolarProbe
This bunker was to be a safe retreat for the astronauts.

#NASAsocial #SolarProbe
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More from @MaryRobinette

Mary Robinette Kowal Profile picture
Aug 12, 2018
Good morning! Ready to try again for a rocket launch?

While you're waiting, remember that the Persiad meteor shower is also happening. You don't have to be in Florida to see it.

#NASAsocial #SolarProbe
Granted, having written #thecalculatingstars there's a different resource to watching meteors while waiting for a rocket launch...

#NASAsocial #SolarProbe
Stargazing while waiting for launch.

By which I mean looking at stars through a telescope.

#NASAsocial #SolarProbe
Read 13 tweets
Mary Robinette Kowal Profile picture
Aug 11, 2018
2am and the sky looks clear. Who's ready for a rocket launch?

Why is the Parker #SolarProbe launching at night?

Because during the day it would be too hot to visit the sun...

#NASAsocial
We've arrived at the causeway and the rocket looks AMAZING lit up across the water. We're about 2.5 miles away.

#NASAsocial #SolarProbe
Make sure you follow #NASAsocial because my fellow attendees have much better night cameras than I do for the Parker #SolarProbe launch.
Read 22 tweets
Mary Robinette Kowal Profile picture
Aug 10, 2018
Many thanks to @torybruno for stopping and talking to us.

I asked what he was excited about and he said "watching this big beautiful rocket launch and set new speed records."

Same.

#NASAsocial #SolarProbe
This really is a beautiful rocket.

#NASAsocial #SolarProbe
The other thing @torybruno said was that it was hard to get a sense of scale. He felt it most when he went to the top. It's essentially a 30 story building.

Looking over the edge is...vertiginous.

#NASAsocial #SolarProbe
Read 4 tweets
Mary Robinette Kowal Profile picture
Aug 10, 2018
Heading until the 45th Space Wing

#NASAsocial #SolarProbe
The MOC was built to consolidate range control into one location. Prior to this, Each SLC had a blockhouse to serve as mission control for the launch. They were only 100 yards from the rocket.

It was not...ideal safety conditions.

#NASAsocial #SolarProbe
Now there's a single location to provide weather advisories to Patrick, the Cape, and KSC.

Lightning is the primary concern. Florida is a lightning capital with the 3rd highest strikes worldwide.

#NASAsocial #SolarProbe
Read 5 tweets
Mary Robinette Kowal Profile picture
Aug 10, 2018
Learning more about the crawler from Dan Schultz, one of the drivers.

#NASAsocial #SolarProbe
The hard part is that of the VAB driver's job is that they can't see everything. Parts of the path are built at the max turning radius, which is 6° so they have to hit their marks very precisely.

#NASAsocial #SolarProbe
They have spotters that are about 20 feet ahead and the drivers rely on them for hitting their marks. There are 30 people involved in every move.

Driving it takes about 8 hours. Then there's loading and unloading, so 12-16 hour days are not uncommon.

#NASAsocial #SolarProbe
Read 6 tweets
Mary Robinette Kowal Profile picture
Aug 10, 2018
Good morning. I'm in the VAB. (vehicle assembly building) Any questions?

#NASAsocial #SolarProbe
There are Apollo era parts of the VAB because they don't take anything apart without a reason. Disassembly costs money.

But when they do... The copper wire they pulled out of the VAB, when sold for scrap, paid for the fiber optics.

#NASAsocial #SolarProbe
They build full size "fit models" of everything to fake sure it will fit in the building.

The size of the VAB dictated the shuttle wing length. It had only 18 inches of clearance going through the doors.

#NASAsocial #SolarProbe
Read 5 tweets

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