Integrated Processing Facility - Space Launch Complex 6

[Bob James]

This is my model of the Integrated Processing Facility - Space Launch Complex 6 at Vandenberg AFB, CA.
Spacecraft are processed in this building, encapsulated in a fairing and transported to the launch pad.
The first is a night view of the west entrance.

The second is a day view of the entire facility and adjacent structures (see fairing on KAMAG transporter at the right).

This, and our launch facility, are modeled to scale inside and out.

[Pg09]

Is this not going to be a national security issue?
just kidding, this is a very interesting facility..
do you work there?

It doesn't look too big or at least expected to see a bigger hangar. Can it hold a shuttle or "just" unmanned rockets.
It's also surprising to me that it looks like a concrete structure (at leas partly?) and not steel like the launcher itself...

[Bob James]

Yes, I work for Spaceport Systems International.

The building end-to-end is approximately 300' and 100' high (the large tower goes up to 250').

The structure to the right is not a "hangar": it was developed for the Space Shuttle and its only purpose was to be a wind break (Lot's of wind at Vandenberg). It serves no useful purpose today.

The processing portion of the facility is indeed rebar-reinforced concrete 18" thick.

The launch facility service tower is structural steel as you mentioned. This structure at Space Launch Complex 6 (SLC-6) does not belong to Spaceport Systems International and is not shown.

Our launch facility is at SLC-8. The attached picture is my model of that.

[Pg09]

well this is a really interesting workplace for sure.

is modelling the site in Sketchup part of your job or are you just enthusiastic?
i was wondering if the SLC is using Sketchup for design/development?

[shura]

wow.... er, hm.... WOW!
This is a hell lot of work - and so well done, congratulations!
What about some reflection for the vehicles in the night scene?

cheers
alex

[Bob James]

well this is a really interesting workplace for sure.

is modelling the site in Sketchup part of your job or are you just enthusiastic?
i was wondering if the SLC is using Sketchup for design/development?

The graphics part of my job is to model our facilities and the customer equipment to, for example:
• show customers what their equipment will look like in the facility,
• assure that all of the customers equipment will fit in the facility,
• development processing scenarios to assure that there is enough room for the right equipment to be in the right place,
• model customer required modifications to the facility to assure that everything will turn out as expected,

and, of course, to provide "bling" for proposals, our facility handbooks and our web site.

To be complete, I do all this with a lot of enthusiasm to make up for my lack of talent: I've a lot to learn. Twilight has become my primary rendering tool.
I know that the graphics cognoscenti look down on people who use SketchUp and Twilight instead of 3dsMax or Maya or .... but SU/TWL do the job that I need to get done with the limited skills that I have.

My thanks to the developers of both products.

[Bob James]

What about some reflection for the vehicles in the night scene?
alex

Got a little break in the action here at work so: here's the scene with glossy paint on the cars.

[Bob James]

By the way, here's another that I sort of like

[Fletch]

very nice, indeed! (looks like the exterior lights may have been left on...)

[Bob James]

very nice, indeed! (looks like the exterior lights may have been left on...)

I'll have to speak to the security guards!!