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The closest observation point is three miles from the launch pads, so yes, the VAB (Vehicle Assembly Building; it's insanely large) is probably around three mil
by spc476 16y ago
The closest observation point is three miles from the launch pads, so yes, the VAB (Vehicle Assembly Building; it's insanely large) is probably around three miles as well.
Why the three mile distance? Back during the Apollo program, engineers determined that if the Saturn V were to explode on the launch pad, the resulting fireball would be around four or file miles in diameter. I think it's a similar radius for the Shuttle as well.
- snth 16y agoSo the fireball would still engulf the buildings? Doesn't that still seem too close?
- kd5bjo 16y ago3 miles away produces a 6-mile diameter safety zone.
- kylemathews 16y agoDiameter not radius. So 4-5 miles diameter = 2-2.5 miles radius.
- photon_off 16y agoThat sounds like an impossibly huge fireball for a rocket. IIRC even nukes don't create fireballs that large. Maybe I'm underestimating the amount of energy in a rocket. My guess is that the main threat would be an off course rocket, or debris from an explosion, and that the probability of damage is acceptably low 3 miles away.