Space Shuttle Mate/Demate DeviceBy Marty McDowell/NASA
The Space Shuttle Mate-Demate Device (MDD) at
NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA, is a large gantry-like
steel structure used to hoist the orbiters off the ground during
post-landing servicing operations, and during mating and demating
operations with the 747 Shuttle
Carrier Aircraft (SCA).
Construction of the MDD was completed in late 1976. It was first used
during mate-demate operations with the prototype orbiter Enterprise during
the Approach and Landing Tests (ALT) in 1977. It has been used for all
post-landing and SCA mating operations at Dryden since the ALT program.
MDD Description
The facility consists of two 100-ft towers with stationary work
platforms at the 20-, 40-, 60-, and 80-ft levels on each tower and a
horizontal structure mounted at the 80-ft level between the two towers.
The horizontal unit cantilevers 70 ft out from the main tower units and
controls and guides a large lift beam which attaches to the orbiters to
raise and lower them.
Three large hoists are used to raise and lower the lift beam. Two of
the hoists are connected to the aft portion of the lift beam and one hoist
is attached to the beam's forward section. The three hoists operate
simultaneously in the hoisting process. Each of the three hoists has a
100,000-lb lift capability. Operating together, the total lifting capacity
of the three units is 230,000 lb (115 tons).
Orbiter Servicing
During orbiter turnaround operations, two access platforms for orbiter
servicing specialists are positioned on each side of the orbiter after it
is towed into the MDD. The platforms are normally stored at the 60-ft
level when not in use. During servicing operations the platforms are
lowered on each side of the orbiter by a pair of telescoping tubes
extending down from the cantilever section.
Two equipment hoists, each capable of lifting 10,000 lb -- or 25 people
-- are also built into each tower. These hoists operate up to the 60-ft
level of the MDD.
MDD Construction
The MDD was designed by Connell Associates Inc., Coral Gables, FL. It
was constructed in 1976 by the George A. Fuller Co., Chicago, IL, at a
cost of $1.7 million.
Space Shuttle Hangar
The Space Shuttle hangar, near the MDD, is a single-bay 25,000 ft2
structure 170 ft deep, 140 ft wide, and 80 ft high.
A 6,700 ft2 annex on the north side of the hangar building is used for
administrative offices, and for supplies and equipment storage.
Inside the hangar, two overhead bridge cranes provide lift capability
for orbiter (or aircraft) servicing and maintenance operations. Each crane
has a lift capability of 50,000 lb.
The hangar was designed by Voorheis, Trindle and Nelson (VTN), Irvine,
CA. It was built by Santa Fe Engineers Inc., Lancaster, CA, at a cost of
$3.7 million. Construction was completed in early 1976.
A concrete tow-way, 60-ft wide and 15-in. thick, connects the MDD and
the Space Shuttle hangar with the aircraft ramp at the main Dryden
complex, and with the taxiway extending onto the Edwards AFB flightline
and runway network.
Source: NASA. |
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