Launch Complex 5/6 Spin Test Facility |
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Launch Complex 5/6 Spin Test Facility |
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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. |
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#2
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Junior Member ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 29 Joined: 7-February 14 Member No.: 7125 ![]() |
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#3
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Junior Member ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 55 Joined: 8-November 06 From: Indiana, USA Member No.: 1337 ![]() |
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. |
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#4
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Junior Member ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 29 Joined: 7-February 14 Member No.: 7125 ![]() |
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. |
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#5
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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 |
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#6
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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. |
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#7
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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. |
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