Operations and Checkout Building

Apollo program

During planning and construction, it was known as the Operations and Checkout Building. When it was finished in 1964, it was renamed the Manned Spacecraft Operations Building and was used to process spacecraft in the Gemini and Apollo era. It was reverted back to the Operations and Checkout Building during the Shuttle program, known informally as the O&C.

Altitude test chambers

In 1965, a pair of altitude chambers were installed in the High Bay for testing the environmental and life support systems of both the Apollo Command/Service Module and Lunar Module at simulated altitudes of up to 250,000 ft. Each chamber is 58 ft high (with a clear working height of 28 ft) and an interior diameter of 33 ft, were human-rated, and capable of reaching the maximum altitude (minimum pressure) in one hour. These were used by the prime and backup crews of all crewed missions, from the ill-fated Apollo 1 in October 1966, through to the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in July 1975.

Post-Apollo use

During the 1980s and 90s the O&C building was used to house and test Spacelab science modules before their flights aboard the Space Shuttle.

In the late 1990s and 2000s, some modules and trusses for the International Space Station were checked out in the building.

Artemis Program

On January 30, 2007, NASA held a ceremony to mark the transition of the building's high bay for use by the Constellation program. The building would serve as the final assembly facility for the Orion crew exploration vehicle. In preparation for the transition, the state of Florida provided funds to clear the facility of about 50 ST of steel stands, structures and equipment. Renovations totaling $55 million took place from June 2007 through January 2009, at which point Lockheed Martin became the operator of the facility for Orion production. The Orion spacecraft for Artemis 1 completed its assembly in this location and was moved to the Multi-Payload Processing Facility on January 16, 2021. The Orion spacecraft for Artemis 2 is under final testing in the building as of July, 2024.

The building was renamed to the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building in a ceremony on the 45th anniversary of Apollo 11 (2014).

Gallery

File:KSC Operations and Checkout Building.jpg|The O&C in 1984 File:KSC Operations and Checkout Building - Astrovan exit area.jpg|Exit door from Operations and Checkout Building connector. A nearby doorway on the adjacent north wall of the rear building is where astronauts would board the Astrovan for transport to Launch Complex 39. File:Apollo 11 crew at van for transfer to launch pad.jpg|Apollo 11 crew members Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin on the morning of July 16, 1969 File:Spacecraft_Workshop_no.1_at_KSC.jpg|The spacecraft workshop number 1 File:Orion_Spacecraft_in_spacecraft_workshop_KSC.jpg|Orion Spacecraft in the workshop of the Operations and Checkout Building File:O&C_dormitory.jpg|Astronauts sleep prior to launch day in dormitories in the Operations and Checkout Building. In this case a bedroom is undergoing renovations. File:Leland_Melvin_during_Suit-up_preparations.jpg|Astronauts have suit-up flight preparations in the building.

Notes

References

1. {{NRISref
2. "Image-STS-26 crewmembers leave KSC O&C Bldg on their way to the launch pad". NASA.
3. Craig, Kay. (2011-06-14). "KSC Technical Capabilities: O&C Altitude Chambers". NASA.gov.
4. Slovinac, Patricia. (December 2009). "Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Launch Complex 39, Altitude Chambers". Library of Congress.
5. Young, Tracy. (2007-01-24). "NASA Invites Media to Ceremony Marking Transition to Constellation". NASA.gov.
6. Marconi, Elaine. (2007-02-09). "NASA's next step to prepare for a new era of exploration". NASA.
7. (February 4, 2009). "Operations and Checkout Building High Bay Ready for Orion Processing". NASA.
8. "KENNEDY SPACE CENTER'S ANNUAL REPORT FY2008". NASA's Kennedy Space Center.
9. (January 16, 2021). "Artemis I Orion Moves For Fueling, Next Step in Launch Preparations". NASA.
10. (February 12, 2021). "Cabin Checks Underway to Keep Crew Breathing Easy on Artemis II".
11. "Orion on the Rise - NASA".
12. (July 22, 2014). "Neil Armstrong Legacy Adds Honor". Florida Today.