Canon EOS 5D Mark II
ƒ/9
16 mm
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This is the enormous structure that rotates around the vertical hinge on the right to mate with the space shuttle before launch. The RSS gives clean access to the Shuttle’s Payload Bay for preparing each mission payload before flight, protecting it from the elements, and shielding the Shuttle from winds up to 110 km/hr.

The retractable arm on the upper right connects the astronaut’s white room, perched out in the sky above with the shuttle.

4 responses to “Rotating Service Structure (RSS) of Pad 39A”

  1. Driving up the the pad alongside the crawler-transporter pathways
    DSC_0419

    luckily there is an elevator for much of the climb
    DSC_0574

    And here’s my video tour of Pad 39A.

    And a photo I took with the shuttle in place:
    Space Shuttle Endeavour on Pad39A

    Next photo page from the Pad 39A tour.

  2. SCRAP VALUE of the Structure? But hey will never scrap the Crawlers, they gotta be at least 50 yrs old now?

  3. Crawler is being kept, refitted for SLS. Low miles!

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