In a photograph taken Dec. 28, 2017, the first SpaceX Falcon Heavy stands at Launch Complex 39A during testing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.
Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center has undergone modifications by SpaceX to adapt to the needs of the company's Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets. A horizontal integration facility has been constructed for processing rockets prior to rolling out for liftoff. In 2014 NASA signed a property agreement with SpaceX for the use and operation of the historic pad used during the Apollo and Space Shuttle Programs.
The upcoming launch of a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket on its demonstration flight is another sign that NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida is continuing to grow as the nation’s premier, multi-user spaceport. The new vehicle is set to lift off from NASA’s historic Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy no earlier than Feb. 6.
In 2014, NASA signed a 20-year property agreement with SpaceX for the use and operation of the launch pad.
Beginning in 2011, Kennedy sought partnerships with the U.S. aerospace industry to use former space shuttle facilities. Today, NASA has partnerships with more than 90 companies that enable commercial space manufacturing, processing and launch operations along Florida’s Space Coast.
Kennedy’s first significant partnership with industry allowed Boeing to use Orbiter Processing Facility 3, now known as the Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility, or C3PF. Here Boeing is manufacturing and processing its CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, which is slated to carry astronauts to the International Space Station for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. SpaceX will similarly launch astronauts from Launch Complex 39A for NASA.
A handful of NASA employees serve as customer advocates and support the space center’s commercial partners. Through reimbursable Space Act Agreements, NASA provides services that are needed at a spaceport.
"We support launch campaign activities such as propellant and life support services, which includes providing commodities such as helium and nitrogen to support launch, flight hardware transport and roadblock security support near the launch pad," said Robyn Mitchell, the NASA customer advocate who supports SpaceX.
In her customer advocate role, Mitchell monitors the partner’s processing and facilities schedules to help ensure their operations and mission milestones are met. This includes integrating support plans in response to the partner's requests for services.
"When partners, such as SpaceX, are preparing for a launch, we have Support Readiness Reviews," Mitchell said. "While SpaceX is responsible for the launch vehicle and payload, NASA organizations verify support requests are complete and confirm the readiness of Kennedy's facilities, equipment and infrastructure for launch."
Mitchell noted that the ongoing responsibilities of her office are key to establishing and maintaining a multi-user spaceport capability at Kennedy, specifically working with commercial partners to help them identify technical requirements, anticipate operational impacts and develop solutions taking advantage of the center's unique launch infrastructure and capabilities.
The upcoming test is evidence of the transformation of NASA's Kennedy Space Center as a multi-user spaceport. NASA and its commercial and international partners are looking to return humans to the Moon and beyond, and there will be opportunities for a wide range of rockets and capabilities.
NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft is targeted to lift off next year from nearby Launch Complex 39B. The initial SLS rocket is expected to have a liftoff thrust of 8.8 million pounds, and is designed to be an evolvable launch vehicle able to meet the most challenging deep space crew and cargo needs.
“As SpaceX continues to refine operations of its Falcon Heavy rocket, we welcome this capability to be added to those available soon from NASA’s SLS,” said Tom Engler, Kennedy’s director of Center Planning and Development.