User:Jadebenn/Integrate-Transfer-Launch

ITL was conceived as a means to allow extremely high launch rates by decoupling the actions of integrating and "stacking" the rocket from the action of launching it. This was accomplished through the usage of dedicated assembly facilities, separate from the launchpad infrastructure. Once the rocket was was fully assembled, it would then be moved to the launchpad by means of a Mobile Launcher or Mobile Launch Platform, where the actual launch would then take place.

The chief advantage of the ITL system was that a single launchpad could, in theory, support nearly back-to-back launches of multiple rocket vehicles. This was projected to greatly reduce the amount of dedicated launch infrastructure necessary for the extremely high launch cadences originally envisioned for the Saturn and Titan programs.

The USAF implemented ITL in the construction of Launch Complex 40 and 41, and NASA implemented the concept in the construction of Launch Complex 39.

{{main|Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39}}

The ITL system at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Launch Complex 39 (LC-39) consists of the Vehicle Assembly Building, Crawler-Transporters, and the physical launch pads.

{{main|Saturn IB|Saturn V}}

File:Lc39 warning lamps.jpg rocket is carried atop its Mobile Launcher by a Crawler-Transporter]]

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

{{main|Space Shuttle}}

File:Mobile launcher platform.jpg Atlantis is carried atop its Mobile Launch Platform in the lead-up to STS-79]]

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

{{main|Space Launch System}}

File:Mobile Launcher and CT-2 for SLS rolls out to LP-39B.jpg

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

{{main|Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 40|Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 41}}

File:Launch of Gemini B aboard a Titan IIIC rocket (66C-76586).jpg (CCAFS)]]

The ITL system at LC-40 and LC-41 originally consisted of the Vertical Integration Building (VIB), where rockets were "stacked" and integrated, the Solid Motor Assembly Building, the Mobile Launcher Platforms, and the Mobile Gantry located at each pad. After the end of the Titan program in 2005, many of these facilities were demolished.

{{main|Titan (rocket family)}}

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

{{main|Atlas V}}

File:Atlas V rollout with LRO and LCROSS.jpg

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

{{main|Vulcan (rocket)}}

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

{{main|Satish Dhawan Space Centre Second Launch Pad}}

File:A view of the Umbilical Tower of the Second Launch Pad with GSLV-F08 in the background.jpg's Second Launch Pad (SLP) utilizes the ITL system]]

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

{{main|Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle|Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle}}

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

• {{Portal-inline|Spaceflight}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://afspacemuseum.org/ccafs/ITL/ Integrate-Transfer-Launch (ITL) Complex]