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Vertical Processing Facility (VPF) |
| Facility | # P/L's at one time | Processing Space, WxLxH | Clean Room Class | Door Size | Hoisting Equipment, Tons & Max Hoisting Height | Control Room Size, Sq Ft | Haz Ops Cap |
| Vertical Processing Facility (VPF) | Integ Facility |
Airlock: 42'x75'x74' Highbay: |
Airlock: 300,000 Highbay: |
Airlock: 24'9"x71' Highbay: |
Airlock: 10 Ton Mono 65'8" HH Highbay: |
Shared Use | Haz Mono-Prop |
The Vertical Processing Facility (VPF) is primarily used to integrate and de-integrate vertically processed payloads. Integration activities include such tasks as installing a payload in a test cell in its relative flight position, system and interface verification tests and ordnance installation and connection. The floor space of the VPF can also be used as a processing facility for non-vertical payloads.
The VPF complex is located in the Hypergol/Payload Test Area on 10th St S.E. Three main structures make up the complex: the VPF itself, located on the north side of 10th St, the Operations Support Building and Annex, located on the south side of the street and the Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator Facility (RTG-F), east of the VPF. The complex also has a Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants (POL) shed, a storage shed and an ozonator building.
The VPF contains an environmentaly controlled highbay, rated as a class 100,000 clean room, and airlock, rated as a class 300,000 clean room. Two payload workstands with six fixed platforms provide access to payloads in the high bay. Two bridge cranes, 25 tons and 12 tons, can be linked to provide 35-ton lift capability. A 10-ton monorail crane is located in the airlock. The six fixed platform levels are serviced by a 2-ton hoist.
The Operations Support Building provides office space for payload customers, Quality and Engineering personnel and the facility manager.
Typical payloads processed through the VPF include any with an Inertial Upper Stage (IUS) booster, such as the Tracking & Data Relay Satellites (TDRS), Galileo, Ulysses, etc. The Hubble Space Telescope was processed in the VPF before traveling to the launch pad for final integration.
