"You have the same view as you did, looking out in 1964 from the Launch Control Center, set at the same angle and orientation as in the firing rooms." "To me, this is the million dollar view from this facility," Kline said. In the lobby, windows and framing saved from Kennedy's Launch Control Center firing rooms are the focal point of the facility. While most of the facility's features are brand-new, Propellants North also is steeped in rich history.Ĭrawlerway rocks that were crushed during space shuttle treks to Kennedy's launch pads are used as a substitute for mulch. Other artwork brightly contrasts the power of spacecraft propellants and the peace of the raw nature and wildlife that exists in harmony at Kennedy. Revered as American icons, NASA’s spaceflight history adorns the walls. Non-treated H2O from the system will be used for the facility's toilets and irrigation system, while treated water can be used for drinking and hand washing. Toward the back of the facility is a 7,500-gallon rainwater harvesting system that consists of three storage tanks. Water is a big part of the conservation effort, too. "We've had experts come in and give us kudos on how well the system is actually functioning," Kline said. Even the orientation of the facility maximizes sunlight, decreasing the demand for energy. More than 300 photovoltaic panels are expected to generate more energy than will be used at Propellants North, making it the space agency's first net-zero facility. "This will hopefully give folks an incentive to buy electric cars and have a place to plug in," said Frank Kline, the facility's project manager with NASA Construction of Facilities. The eight-car station was paid for by the Department of Energy's Transportation Electrification Grant Program and can be used for government or privately owned vehicles to reduce dependency on gas. For less than $1.50 a day, an electric or hybrid vehicle can plug into a nearby solar-powered charging canopy. ![]() The test bed begins with a parking lot of the future. "I think we're going to add more facilities like this and eventually get to where some of our old 1960s infrastructure has been updated and brought to new standards." "I think it's the future for us here at the Kennedy Space Center," Cabana said. To lead the way, the new facility will become a test bed for more environmentally friendly projects at NASA centers by making sure every aspect is truly green. "This facility behind me is a sterling, or should I say platinum, example of how NASA and KSC are leading the way." "While our NASA primary mission is exploration, the agency also tends to another important mission - protecting planet Earth," said Mike Benik, the director of Center Operations at Kennedy. That certification system is based on the use of sustainable sites, materials and resources, water and energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality and design innovation. Green Build¬ing Council’s Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design, or LEED, Platinum status, which is the highest of green building certifications. "How can you not be enthused about something that requires zero energy? It actually puts more energy out than it requires to run in a 24-hour period." This is setting the standard," said Kennedy's Center Director Bob Cabana. As the new hub for fueling spacecraft on journeys to unlock the mysteries of the universe, the Propellants North Administrative and Maintenance Facility will tap into Earth's most natural resources. Kennedy Space Center rang in 2011 with the grand opening of NASA's "greenest" facility on Jan. Image above: The Propellants North facility controls the flow of fueling chemicals to shuttles and rockets in the Launch Complex 39 area at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The covered area features plug-in stations for electric vehicles. Image above: Part of the parking lot at the Propellants North facility was tailor-made for electric cars. Image above: State-of-the-art solar arrays top the roof of the Propellants North facility, giving the building a way to generate its own electricity. The Propellants North facility was designed to generate as much power as it consumes. Image above: Officials at NASA's Kennedy Space Center used a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony to premiere a decidedly unconventional building. ![]() Image above: The new Propellants North facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida made "green" a priority in design and construction.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |