Mobile Launcher Platform 1
Mobile Launcher Platform 1 or MLP-1, formerly Mobile Launcher 3 or ML-3 is one of three Mobile Launcher Platforms used at Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39. Saturn V and Space Shuttle launches were conducted from MLP-1 between 1969 and 2009. It was modified for use in the Constellation program but ended up being used only once for the Ares I-X launch before the cancellation of the program. Few years after the cancellation of the Constellation program, the platform was modified again for use with the Space Launch System. Modifications were finished in 2015 and the platform is now waiting for the 2017 debut of the SLS.
Apollo/Saturn V
MLP-1 was originally constructed as a Mobile Launcher for the Saturn V rocket, and was designated ML-3, or LUT-3. It was built by Ingalls Iron Works. Construction began in 1964, and was completed with the installation of the Launch Umbilical Tower hammerhead crane on 1 March 1965.[1] The swing arms, which were constructed by Hayes International were added at a later date.
Following completion, ML-3 was used for five manned Apollo launches; Apollo 10, Apollo 13, Apollo 15, Apollo 16 and Apollo 17.
Space Shuttle and Project Constellation
Following the launch of Apollo 17, ML-3 was the first of the Mobile Launchers to be converted for use by the Space Shuttle. The Launch Umbilical Tower was dismantled and placed into storage, and the base of the launch platform was modified to accommodate the locations of engines on the Shuttle. The platform was redesignated MLP-1.
In total, MLP-1 was used for fifty two Shuttle launches, between 1981 and 2009. It was used for the first Space Shuttle launch, STS-1, in April 1981. Following the launch of STS-119 in March 2009, it was transferred to Project Constellation. The platform was used only for the Ares I-X and was going to be disassembled after the launch.[2] The Project Constellation was though cancelled and the ML was left unused.
Space Launch System
After the cancellation on the Project Constellation, the once used Mobile Launcher was modified for launching the Space Launch System.[3]
Launch history
| Date/Time (GMT) | Rocket | Mission | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 May 1969, 16:49 | Saturn V SA-505 | Apollo 10 | Manned flight to lunar orbit |
| 11 April 1970, 19:13 | Saturn V SA-508 | Apollo 13 | Manned Lunar landing, converted to circumlunar flight after oxygen tank exploded |
| 26 July 1971, 13:34 | Saturn V SA-510 | Apollo 15 | Manned Lunar landing |
| 16 April 1972, 17:54 | Saturn V SA-511 | Apollo 16 | Manned Lunar landing |
| 7 December 1972, 05:33 | Saturn V SA-512 | Apollo 17 | Manned lunar landing, final Apollo Lunar mission |
| 12 April 1981, 12:00 | Space Shuttle Columbia | STS-1 | Maiden flight of Space Shuttle, test flight |
| 12 November 1981, 15:10 | Space Shuttle Columbia | STS-2 | Test flight |
| 22 March 1982, 16:00 | Space Shuttle Columbia | STS-3 | Test flight |
| 27 June 1982, 15:00 | Space Shuttle Columbia | STS-4 | Final test flight |
| 11 November 1982, 12:19 | Space Shuttle Columbia | STS-5 | Deployed SBS-3 and Anik C3 |
| 18 June 1983, 11:33 | Space Shuttle Challenger | STS-7 | Deployed Anik C2 and Palapa B1 |
| 28 November 1983, 16:00 | Space Shuttle Columbia | STS-9 | Scientific mission; first Spacelab mission |
| 6 April 1984, 13:58 | Space Shuttle Challenger | STS-41C | Deployed LDEF, repaired SolarMax |
| 5 October 1984, 11:03 | Space Shuttle Challenger | STS-41G | Deployed ERBS |
| 24 January 1985, 19:50 | Space Shuttle Discovery | STS-51C | Classified mission; deployed USA-8 |
| 12 April 1985, 13:59 | Space Shuttle Discovery | STS-51D | Deployed Anik C1 and Syncom IV-1 |
| 17 June 1985, 11:33 | Space Shuttle Discovery | STS-51G | Deployed Arabsat 1B, Morelos I and Telstar 3D |
| 27 August 1985, 10:58 | Space Shuttle Discovery | STS-51I | Deployed Aussat 1, ASC-1 and Syncom IV-4; repaired Syncom IV-3 |
| 6 November 1985, 17:44 | Space Shuttle Challenger | STS-61A | Scientific mission; performed experiments with NASA/ESA Spacelab |
| 12 January 1986, 11:55 | Space Shuttle Columbia | STS-61C | Deployed Satcom K1 |
| 2 December 1988, 14:30 | Space Shuttle Atlantis | STS-27 | Classified mission; deployed USA-34 (recently declassified as Lacrosse 1) |
| 4 May 1989, 18:48 | Space Shuttle Atlantis | STS-30 | Deployed Magellan probe |
| 18 October 1989, 16:53 | Space Shuttle Atlantis | STS-34 | Deployed Galileo probe |
| 28 February 1990, 07:50 | Space Shuttle Atlantis | STS-36 | Classified mission; deployed USA-53 |
| 15 November 1990, 23:48 | Space Shuttle Atlantis | STS-38 | Classfied mission; deployed USA-67 |
| 5 April 1991, 14:22 | Space Shuttle Atlantis | STS-37 | Deployed Compton Gamma Ray Observatory |
| 2 August 1991, 15:01 | Space Shuttle Atlantis | STS-43 | Deployed TDRS-E |
| 24 November 1991, 23:44 | Space Shuttle Atlantis | STS-44 | Deployed DSP satellite |
| 24 March 1992, 13:13 | Space Shuttle Atlantis | STS-45 | Scientific mission; performed experiments with ATLAS-1 |
| 31 July 1992, 13:56 | Space Shuttle Atlantis | STS-46 | Deployed ESA's EURECA and TSS satellite |
| 2 December 1992, 13:24 | Space Shuttle Discovery | STS-53 | Deployed classified DoD-1 |
| 8 April 1993, 05:29 | Space Shuttle Discovery | STS-56 | Scientific mission; performed experiments with ATLAS-2 |
| 18 October 1993, 14:53 | Space Shuttle Columbia | STS-58 | Scientific mission; performed experiements concerning physiologicial effects of spaceflight |
| 4 March 1994, 13:53 | Space Shuttle Columbia | STS-62 | Scientific mission; performed microgravity experiements |
| 30 September 1994, 11:16 | Space Shuttle Endeavour | STS-68 | Scientific mission; performed experiments with SRL-2 |
| 2 March 1995, 06:38 | Space Shuttle Endeavour | STS-67 | Scientific mission; performed experiments with Astro-2 |
| 7 September 1995, 15:09 | Space Shuttle Endeavour | STS-69 | Scientific mission; performed experiments with WSF and Spartan 201 |
| 11 January 1996, 09:41 | Space Shuttle Endeavour | STS-72 | Scientific mission; captured and returned SFU to Earth |
| 19 May 1996, 10:30 | Space Shuttle Endeavour | STS-77 | Scientific mission; performed research aboard the SPACEHAB module |
| 16 September 1996, 08:54 | Space Shuttle Atlantis | STS-79 | First shuttle docking with completed Mir (4th docking overall) |
| 11 February 1997, 08:55 | Space Shuttle Discovery | STS-82 | Serviced Hubble Space Telescope |
| 1 July 1997, 18:02 | Space Shuttle Columbia | STS-94 | Scientific mission; performed experiments with Spacelab |
| 19 November 1997, 19:46 | Space Shuttle Columbia | STS-87 | Scientific mission; performed experiments with USMP-4 and SPARTAN-201 |
| 2 June 1998, 22:06 | Space Shuttle Discovery | STS-91 | Final shuttle docking with Mir |
| 23 July 1999, 04:31 | Space Shuttle Columbia | STS-93 | Deployed Chandra |
| 19 May 2000, 10:11 | Space Shuttle Atlantis | STS-101 | ISS resupply |
| 1 December 2000, 03:06 | Space Shuttle Endeavour | STS-97 | ISS assembly; delivered solar arrays |
| 19 April 2001, 18:40 | Space Shuttle Endeavour | STS-100 | ISS assembly; delivered Canadarm2 |
| 5 December 2001 22:19 | Space Shuttle Endeavour | STS-108 | ISS resupply and crew rotation |
| 5 June 2002 21:22 | Space Shuttle Endeavour | STS-111 | ISS resupply and crew rotation |
| January 16, 2003 15:39 | Space Shuttle Columbia | STS-107 | Spacehab mission, disintegrated during reentry |
| 4 July 2006, 18:37 | Space Shuttle Discovery | STS-121 | Test new safety and repair techniques implemented after Columbia disaster. ISS logistics; delivered MPLM |
| 10 December 2006, 01:47 | Space Shuttle Discovery | STS-116 | ISS assembly; delivered P5 truss segment |
| 8 August 2007, 22:36 | Space Shuttle Endeavour | STS-118 | ISS assembly; delivered S5 truss segment, ESP-3, and a replacement CMG |
| 7 February 2008, 19:45 | Space Shuttle Atlantis | STS-122 | ISS assembly; delivered Columbus |
| 15 March 2009, 23:43 | Space Shuttle Discovery | STS-119 | ISS assembly; delivered S6 truss segment |
| 28 October 2009 15:30 | Ares I-X | Final launch from MLP-1 | |
References
- ↑ Benson, Charles D; Faherty, William B. "The Swing-Arm Controversy". Moonport: A History of Apollo Launch Facilities and Operations. NASA History Office. Retrieved 2009-03-25.
- ↑ Ochoa-Gonzales, Frank (2009-04-17). "Space Shuttle Program Hands over Launch Platform to Constellation". NASA. Retrieved 2015-11-21.
- ↑ Gebhardt, Chris (2012-11-05). "NASA outlines SLS Mobile Launcher umbilical plans". NASASpaceflight.com. Retrieved 2015-11-21.
Further reading
- McDowell, Jonathan. "Saturn V". Orbital and Suborbital Launch Database. Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 2009-03-25.
- McDowell, Jonathan. "STS". Orbital and Suborbital Launch Database. Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 2009-03-25.