horizontal integration facility

{{short description|Integration facility where missiles and rockets are assembled before launch.}}

{{globalize|2=United States|date=June 2020}}

A horizontal integration facility (HIF) is an integration facility where missiles and rockets are assembled before launch.

HIF in the United States

class="wikitable"
SitePadVehicleCoordinatesDescriptionImagesRef.
Cape Canaveral Space Force StationSLC-37Delta IV{{coord|28.5234928|N|80.5709624|W |type:landmark_region:US-FL_scale:1000 |display=inline |format=dms}}A seven-story white building containing 2 bays measuring {{convert|250|ft|m}} by {{convert|100|ft|m}} each. Construction was completed in June 2000. Its floors are said to be the most level in the United States, varying less than 0.38 in (9.6 mm) across each bay. The first and second stages of the rocket, along with any boosters that are being used for that flight, are integrated in the HIF, and then the stack is moved to the pad and raised to vertical. The payload and fairing are assembled later.Image:Two Boeing Delta IV first stages on the Launch Complex 37, Cap Canaveral Air Force Station, August 2004.jpg[http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0311/19delta4heavy/ Heavy-lifting Delta 4 rocket to take test flight], Spaceflight Now, Justin Ray, 2003-11-19.[http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/facility/ccas-lc-37.htm Complex 37], GlobalSecurity.org, John Pike, 2005-01-06.
Cape Canaveral Space Force StationSLC-40Falcon 9{{coord|28.5608909|N|80.577389|W |type:landmark_region:US-FL_scale:1000 |display=inline |format=dms}}SpaceX built its first Falcon 9 HIF on the south side of the pad. It measures {{convert|225|ft}} long by {{convert|75|ft}} wide and stands about {{convert|50|ft}} tall. A former payload integration facility is directly adjacent to the HIF. The HIF was extended to a length of at least 72 metres to accommodate the longer versions of the Falcon 9.File:Falcon 9 in SLC-40 hangar before roll-out - CRS-2 (KSC-2013-1676).jpg{{Cite news |last=Clark |first=Stephen |date=2009-01-12 |title=New SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket tests its Cape Canaveral pad |url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/falcon/090112f9vertical/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303194821/http://www.spaceflightnow.com/falcon/090112f9vertical/ |archive-date=2016-03-03 |access-date=2015-01-28 |work=Spaceflight Now |location=Tonbridge, UK}}[https://www.webcitation.org/5ko0wXd2o?url=http://www.geocities.com/launchreport/falcon9.html Space Launch Report: SpaceX Falcon Data Sheet], Ed Kyle, 2008-12-02.
Kennedy Space Center

|LC-39A

|Falcon 9 / Falcon Heavy

|{{Coord|28.604025

80.604120 |format=dms}}

|SpaceX built its second HIF on the Crawlerway leading to the Launch Complex 39A just outside of its perimeter. It can accommodate both Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy. It is able to support 5 boosters side by side. Inside the HIF the Falcon 9 / Falcon Heavy rockets are assembled and the payload, encapsulated in the fairing is connected to the rocket.

|File:SpaceX HIF at KSC LC-39A (27550168066).jpg

|

Kwajalein AtollOmelek IslandFalcon 1{{coord|9.0473335|N|167.7427661|E |type:landmark_region:MH-KWA_scale:1000 |display=inline |format=dms}}A HIF has been built by SpaceX.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090721042244/http://www.spacex.com/00Graphics/Images/F1-003_Mission_Album/027.jpg Exterior] [https://web.archive.org/web/20090721042609/http://www.spacex.com/00Graphics/Images/F1-003_Mission_Album/022.jpg Interior][http://www.spacex.com/Falcon1UsersGuide.pdf Falcon 1 Users Guide (Revision 7)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222034638/http://www.spacex.com/Falcon1UsersGuide.pdf |date=2012-02-22 }}, SpaceX, 2008-05-15, page 35.
Vandenberg Air Force BaseSLC-6Delta IV{{coord|34.5864694|N|120.6276137|W |type:landmark_region:US-CA_scale:1000 |display=inline |format=dms}}A "cavernous" HIF exists. The HIF contains two bays that can accommodate the Delta IV and Delta IV Heavy.[http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0401/18delta4slc6/slc6image1.jpg Exterior][http://www.aero.org/news/newsitems/vandenberg2-17-06.html Launch Facility Profile: Vandenberg Air Force Base] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516060116/http://www.aero.org/news/newsitems/vandenberg2-17-06.html |date=2012-05-16 }}, The Aerospace Corporation, 2006-02-17.
Wallops Flight FacilityAntares{{coord|37.8454606|N|75.4751515|W |type:landmark_region:US-VA_scale:1000 |display=inline |format=dms}}[http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=15457.0 Taurus II Development News], NASASpaceFlight.com Forums, Reply #7, Antonioe, 2009-01-09.HIF built by Orbital Sciences Corporation. The HIF is {{convert|250|ft|m}} long by {{convert|150|ft|m}} wide by {{convert|60|ft|m}} tall.{{Cite web |title=Press Release: NASA Ushers In New Space Exploration Era At Wallops Flight Facility |url=http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2011/mar/HQ_11-081_HIF_Ribbon_Cutting.html |access-date=19 April 2013 |publisher=NASA}} It opened in 2011.File:Antares A-ONE rollout 01.jpg[http://www.aiaa.org/pdf/conferences/Steffy_NRO-AIAA_Conference_Paper--Steffy.pdf Development Status of a Medium-Class Launch Vehicle for ISS Cargo and Satellite Delivery] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616193042/http://www.aiaa.org/pdf/conferences/Steffy_NRO-AIAA_Conference_Paper--Steffy.pdf |date=2011-06-16 }}, David Steffy, Orbital Sciences Corporation, 2008-07-15, page 9.

HIF elsewhere

Most Russian, Ukrainian and former Soviet launchers are integrated horizontally, including Dnepr, Proton, Rockot, Shtil' and Soyuz. The Electron launch vehicle is also integrated horizontally and European Ariane 6 also uses HIF to integrate its rocket stack.

References