IPB

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

 
Reply to this topicStart new topic
Launch Complex 5/6 Spin Test Facility
BYEMAN
post Dec 19 2022, 03:43 PM
Post #1


Junior Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 29
Joined: 7-February 14
Member No.: 7125



The Launch Complex 5/6 Spin Test Facility is located in the red circle. It is the site where the upperstages and payloads of all the Jupiter-C, Juno I and Juno II were prepared and spin balanced. I its also the site were final assembly and encapsulation of Rangers 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 was performed as well as Mariners 1 & 2 and all the Lunar Orbiters.

Here are some photos after the construction of the facility in 1956.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/155900140@N02/j3ceyXNJQ0
These photos were obtained from the JPL archives (Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech)

I will be posting photos of the planetary missions in the appropriate forums. I will post the Juno Explorer and Pioneer missions here.


I would like some feedback on how Flickr works for this.
Attached thumbnail(s)
Attached Image
 
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
BYEMAN
post Dec 19 2022, 05:33 PM
Post #2


Junior Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 29
Joined: 7-February 14
Member No.: 7125



Here is a teaser of some photos of spacecraft processed in the facility
Attached thumbnail(s)
Attached Image
Attached Image
Attached Image

Attached Image
 
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Ken90000
post Dec 19 2022, 08:02 PM
Post #3


Junior Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 55
Joined: 8-November 06
From: Indiana, USA
Member No.: 1337



QUOTE (BYEMAN @ Dec 19 2022, 11:33 AM) *
Here is a teaser of some photos of spacecraft processed in the facility

These are Fantastic. Are these proof test models or the actual hardware launched? Do you know which of the Mariner, Ranger and Lunar Orbiters are photographed here? Thank you for sharing these photographs.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
BYEMAN
post Dec 19 2022, 09:32 PM
Post #4


Junior Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 29
Joined: 7-February 14
Member No.: 7125



QUOTE (Ken90000 @ Dec 19 2022, 03:02 PM) *
These are Fantastic. Are these proof test models or the actual hardware launched? Do you know which of the Mariner, Ranger and Lunar Orbiters are photographed here? Thank you for sharing these photographs.


Mariner 2, Ranger 6, Lunar Orbiter 1 (I believe), Pioneer IV

These are all the flight vehicles in preparation in the same facility described in the first post.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
BYEMAN
post Dec 23 2022, 05:37 PM
Post #5


Junior Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 29
Joined: 7-February 14
Member No.: 7125



Here is the facility with actual spin testing in work.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/155900140@N02/087p412SB0


These are the three Jupiter-C payloads. The test payload which legend has it that it was fulled with sand to prevent it from going into orbit. And two RTVs (Reentry Test Vehicles). The success of the RTVs allowed the remaining Jupiter-Cs to be used for orbital payloads

https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAjBha
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
BYEMAN
post Dec 23 2022, 05:50 PM
Post #6


Junior Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 29
Joined: 7-February 14
Member No.: 7125



This is Explorer I in preparation

https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAjCM6

X Minus 80 Days (JPL Explorer I Documentary, 1958)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roXs-4oD63o
@12:50 to 13:37 shows the assembly and spin testing of the high-speed stages and Explorer I.

Explorer 1 Preparation and Launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kw_ulaECjSg&t=695s
@5:42 to 9:45 shows the assembly of the Explorer I payload onto the 4th stage and spin testing of the whole composite.

Launching of Explorer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpO4EAf9rC0&t=230s
@3:10 the opening in east elevation of the spin test building for viewing is visible and the Observation Pit can be seen though it is in the distance in this video.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
BYEMAN
post Dec 23 2022, 05:52 PM
Post #7


Junior Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 29
Joined: 7-February 14
Member No.: 7125



I wrote two articles in the Quest Magazine on the history of this facility.

I will continue with other Juno-I Explorers followed by Juno-II Explorers and Pioneers.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post

Reply to this topicStart new topic

 



RSS Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 28th March 2024 - 04:07 PM
RULES AND GUIDELINES
Please read the Forum Rules and Guidelines before posting.

IMAGE COPYRIGHT
Images posted on UnmannedSpaceflight.com may be copyrighted. Do not reproduce without permission. Read here for further information on space images and copyright.

OPINIONS AND MODERATION
Opinions expressed on UnmannedSpaceflight.com are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of UnmannedSpaceflight.com or The Planetary Society. The all-volunteer UnmannedSpaceflight.com moderation team is wholly independent of The Planetary Society. The Planetary Society has no influence over decisions made by the UnmannedSpaceflight.com moderators.
SUPPORT THE FORUM
Unmannedspaceflight.com is funded by the Planetary Society. Please consider supporting our work and many other projects by donating to the Society or becoming a member.