NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida is soliciting information and concepts for the potential reuse or divestment of three historic launch platforms that are not needed for the agency's current or planned future missions.
A Request for Information (RFI) released last Friday and closing Sept. 6 is intended to gauge the interest of commercial or government entities for using the three nearly identical mobile launch platforms (MLPs) in support of either commercial launch activity; deconstruction; or an alternative option that benefits the public, environment, or other entities not associated with space.
Built in 1967, the three MLPs were designed for the Apollo/Saturn program. They were substantially modified in the 1970s to support Space Shuttle operations. The MLPs were used to hold Saturn rockets and space shuttles upright as they made their way via crawler transporter from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Complex 39A or 39B where the space vehicles would be launched from these platforms.
Made of welded steel, the MLPs have two inner levels and are equipped with utilities (electric, telephone, sewer, and potable water); they may also contain residual hazardous materials. The platforms feature numerous pathways, compartments, exhaust ports, and system equipment. Each platform measures 160ft long x 135ft wide x 25ft high (49m x 41m x 7.6m). Total weight of each MLP is approximately 9.25 million pounds (4.2Mkg).
The RFI is the latest in the effort to transform KSC into a multi-user spaceport for both government and commercial clients and support NASA's future spaceflight programs and initiatives. These include plans to launch astronauts from KSC to study an asteroid and work with commercial companies to send crews to low-Earth orbit and the International Space Station from Florida's Space Coast in the next four years.