National Aeronautics and Space Administration Vehicle Assembly Building High Bay 3 Work Platforms NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) Platform A is installed 346 feet above Platform F is located 192 feet above rocket will be the most powerful rock- the VAB floor. It will provide access to the VAB floor. It will provide access et ever built. The Orion spacecraft the Orion spacecraft’s Launch Abort for Core Stage Intertank Umbilical will launch atop the SLS on its first System (LAS) for Orion Lifting Sling re- (CSITU) for mate operations. Access integrated test flight, Artemis I, from moval and installation of the closeout into the CS Intertank is gained on this Launch Pad 39B at the agency’s Ken- panels. LAS Antenna Testing (Antenna level. Located on Platform F, the “F-1” nedy Space Center in Florida. SLS will Hat installation for testing) is also per- multi-level ground support equipment facts be capable of launching crewed mis- formed on this level. access platform is used for access sions to deep space destinations. to the booster forward assemblies Platform B is located 311 feet above and the CS to booster forward attach The massive SLS rocket and its twin the VAB floor. It provides access to the points. The upper level of F-1 is used solid rocket boosters will require a Orion Service Module Umbilical for for lifting sling removal during forward large high bay from which to pro- Mate. Platform B also has emergency assembly mate for booster stacking. cess and prepare them for launch. egress stairs from the Crew Access Exploration Ground Systems recently Arm White Room. Platform G is installed 166 feet above completed many upgrades and modi- the VAB floor. It will provide access for fications to High Bay 3 in the iconic Platform C is located 280 feet above booster segment stacking operations Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the VAB floor. It will provide access to of the forward segment to the forward Kennedy where the SLS and Orion the Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle Stage center segment and booster systems will be stacked, processed and tested Adapter and the Interim Cryogenic tunnel cable routing and closeouts. NASA atop the new mobile launcher. Propulsion Stage (ICPS) for mate activ- ities. ICPS Mate to the Launch Vehicle Platform H is located 139 feet above Ten levels of new work platforms were Stage Adapter (LVSA) operations occur the VAB floor. It will provide access to installed in High Bay 3, Towers E and on Platform C. ICPS Umbilical (ICPSU) the booster segment for mate opera- F, to accommodate the rocket. A total Mate operations are also performed on tions of the forward center segment of 20 platform halves altogether will this level. LVSA upper access doors to the center segment and booster surround the SLS and Orion space- are located on Platform C for entry to systems tunnel cable routing and craft and provide access for testing the top of ICPS. closeouts. and processing before they are trans- ported to the launch pad. Platform D is installed 264 feet above Platform J is installed at 112 feet the VAB floor. It will provide access to above the VAB floor. It will provide ac- Each of the giant steel platforms mea- the LVSA lower access doors for entry cess for booster segment mate opera- sures about 38 feet long and close to to the ICPS to perform flight battery tions of the center segment to the aft 62 feet wide. Each weighs between and computer installation on the ICPS center segment and booster systems 300,000 and 325,000 pounds. The equipment shelf. tunnel cable routing and closeouts. platforms are attached to rail beams which provide structural support and Platform E is installed 246 feet above Platform K is installed at 86 feet contain the drive mechanisms to re- the VAB floor. It provides access to the above the VAB floor. It will provide tract and extend them. Each platform Core Stage Forward Skirt Umbilical for access for booster segment stack- rides on four Hillman roller systems mating operations. LVSA to Core Stage ing operations of the aft center seg- that are located two on each side – (CS) mate is performed on an elevated ment to the booster aft assembly and much like a kitchen drawer glides in access platform on Level E. Entry into booster systems tunnel cable routing and out. A mechanical articulated the CS Forward Skirt is necessary to and closeouts. Level K-1 is installed tray also moves in and out with each perform optical verification of the SLS under Platform K for access to the CS platform. vehicle’s Inertia Navigation System. to booster aft attach points. National Aeronautics and Space Administration John F. Kennedy Space Center Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899 www.nasa.gov FS-2019-038-2322-KSC.