Question Woomera 6A launch site.

[Notebook]

Looking at the Blue Streak & Europa launch site here:

Latitude -31.073950
Longtitude 136.439393

There are some zig-zag trench-works? running from the pad to where the
operations buildings were. I think they are cable runs. Anyone know why they are like that?

Many thanks. N.

 

[Urwumpe]

Could be they are actually trenches. Zig-Zag makes no sense for cable ducts, but when you want to evacuate humans from an exploding rocket, such a layout had advantages.

 

[tl8]

See what happens when you let drunken convicts loose?

 

[Notebook]

See what happens when you let drunken convicts loose?

What, they can't dig a straight trench?:lol:

Most ammusing!

N.

 

[tl8]

Drainage Channels

 

[Notebook]

Could be they are actually trenches. Zig-Zag makes no sense for cable ducts, but when you want to evacuate humans from an exploding rocket, such a layout had advantages.

From what I've read they tried to make the Woomera site as close a copy as they could to the Spadeadam site. Makes sense to keep as much in common as you can.
I wonder if its specific to a desert site? They used a "dry" exhaust bucket, compared to the "wet" one at Spadeadam.

There are no signs of any trench works at Spadeadam, though in this picture:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k207/Notebook_04/img022-1.jpg
you can see the cable catenaries running from the grass covered bunke,r off to the right of frame toward the C2 launcher. It then doubles back to the C3 pad out of shot.

Thats why I think they are carrying cables, but as you say, it dosen't make sense to waste cabling that way.

Maybe the Spadeadam team were expendable, or had a better union?

N.

 

[tblaxland]

I doubt they are cable carriers as they seem to be formed from the earth. It could be related to drainage. Such a layout is useful since the sharp bends dissipate significant kinetic energy from any storm water (we have used a similar strategy when designing urban storm water drains). Out there, when it rains, it rains, and the soil is so parched and clay-rich that the water does not soak in easily.

 

[tl8]

When looking at where the channels start and end, I think they would be stormwater

 

[Notebook]

I bow to your experience chaps, why would they lead back to the operational building?

or leading away from the operational building

Edit:

I've had a bit more think! if there is a TD (Torrential Downpour) on the 6A/6B site, why are these storm drains/ drainage channels oriented that way, and what structure or personnel would they protecting?

N.

 

[tblaxland]

I don't know. It is really hard to speculate further without terrain data.

I did consider further the possibility that they may be cable trays. Perhaps there is some local electro-magnetic phenomena that could prevent the cables running north-south or east-west? There shouldn't be anything that decent screened cables would solve, though. You've really got me scratching my head on this one.

 

[Notebook]

Some extereior shots on this:

http://s89.photobucket.com/albums/k207/Notebook_04/?action=view&current=BlueStreak1.flv

Does look a bit...dry.

(Audio added, its just a bit of fun, Original version here

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/films/1951to1964/filmpage_rocket.htm)

N.

 

[tblaxland]

Google image search turned up this interesting perspective:

Its hard to tell what is in those trenches but I am pretty sure they are not drainage.

 

[Notebook]

Nice find tb, that shows them up well.
Its a fair bit of work to make those trenches, they look like bamked excabations with something running down the middle.
In the distance, between the lightning tower and the Europa, it seems to run under the dirt road?

Nice breakers on Lake Hart in the background...

N.

 

[tblaxland]

Nice breakers on Lake Hart in the background...

More likely you are seeing craters http://wikimapia.org/#lat=-31.0909049&lon=136.4169145&z=16&l=0&m=b&v=8

For what it is worth, I sent an email to ASRI to see if they know of any information, or anyone else that might know.

 

[Notebook]

Craters, breakers, its an easy mistake...

I found this drawing of 6A
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k207/Notebook_04/img032-2.jpg

Blew up the South side, (not literally)
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k207/Notebook_04/Woomera6A.jpg

and what looks like "Eht. SUPPLY LINE" is close to the trench work. So these are EHT cable trenches?

Don't like the way the "upper escape route" deposits you right next to them...

Be interesting to see what ASRI come up with, you may be able to help them out!

Thanks, N.

 

[Lunar_Lander]

Very nice Video Notebook, thanks for sharing! Was the Blue Streak flight there a success? And what was that thing between the engines just after liftoff? (when the counter shows 1:25)

And is the man shown at 1 Minute before the end of the video some kind of Range Safety Officer? If so, the Destruct Command Button really looks kind of unprotected. OK, it has a cover, but there seem to be no other safety switches for it.

Do you know if there is some more footage of flights? Maybe even videos of the Europa I?

 

[tblaxland]

Be interesting to see what ASRI come up with, you may be able to help them out!

From ASRI:

The zigzag is the old liquid oxygen pipeline for the launch vehicles that runs to both aprons. The corners (zigzag) helped with preventing freezing of the lines.

As usual, the answer only raises more questions . What were they concerned about getting frozen? Condensation or precipitation on the outside of the lines? How does the corners prevent this? Why locate the pipe in a bund, zigzag or otherwise? Let me know your thoughts, before I write back to him.

They also linked me this interesting site, which also contains the image I posted above: http://homepage.powerup.com.au/~woomera/history.htm

---------- Post added at 10:32 ---------- Previous post was at 09:38 ----------

Was the Blue Streak flight there a success?

Strictly speaking there were no "Blue Streak" launches but rather "Europa" launches. In reality, at least the first stage was the same as the Blue Streak. History of launches and their success or otherwise is here (note, some successes but no orbital successes): http://homepage.powerup.com.au/~woomera/eldo.htm

And what was that thing between the engines just after liftoff? (when the counter shows 1:25)

I'm not sure but there is a picture of a Blue Streak here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_Streak.JPG. Maybe gas generator exhaust?

And is the man shown at 1 Minute before the end of the video some kind of Range Safety Officer? If so, the Destruct Command Button really looks kind of unprotected. OK, it has a cover, but there seem to be no other safety switches for it.

It looks like it. I guess you want him to be able to hit it at short notice. Prior to the launch you would expect that cover to be in place and I don't think the range safety ordinance would be armed (some switches elsewhere plus physical connections in the field) until quite late in the countdown (for example the STS SRB's do not have the range safety ordinance armed until about T-11 s, IIRC).

 

[Notebook]

To tb.

From ASRI:

Quote:
The zigzag is the old liquid oxygen pipeline for the launch vehicles that runs to both aprons. The corners (zigzag) helped with preventing freezing of the lines.
As usual, the answer only raises more questions . What were they concerned about getting frozen? Condensation or precipitation on the outside of the lines? How does the corners prevent this? Why locate the pipe in a bund, zigzag or otherwise? Let me know your thoughts, before I write back to him

Yes, more questions! I've blown up the North side from the diagram:-
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k207/Notebook_04/Woomera6ANorth.jpg

It shows a "Lox Tunnel" just to the right/above of the Lox pumphouse switchroom. This could link up with the zig-zag Lox supply line on the South side. If we assume what ASRI says is correct?
I have to admit I'm having doubts about it being a High-Tension supply. On the South side blowup its seems to end on the opposite side of the access road from the High-Tension switchroom under the causeway.
Also, why would you zig-zag a power cable?
It makes sense if that is a lox pipeline, to put it into a trench in case of leaks, but the zig-zag is still a puzzzle.
If it is a lox supply line, does this mean they had a lox production plant on-site? If it was brought in by tanker, you would just deliver it to the tank on the North side.
Bit risky putting a plant like that next to your operations buildings.

I know that BO(British Oxygen) put a Lox plant on the Spadeadam range, but I can't find where it was.
Got a drawing of the area:-
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k207/Notebook_04/img033rot.jpg

No zig-zags, but the lox dump tank(6) does have a right -angle in the pipe...

Thanks for the info, and the links, N.

---------- Post added at 09:44 ---------- Previous post was at 09:07 ----------

Very nice Video Notebook, thanks for sharing! Was the Blue Streak flight there a success? And what was that thing between the engines just after liftoff? (when the counter shows 1:25)

And is the man shown at 1 Minute before the end of the video some kind of Range Safety Officer? If so, the Destruct Command Button really looks kind of unprotected. OK, it has a cover, but there seem to be no other safety switches for it.

Do you know if there is some more footage of flights? Maybe even videos of the Europa I?

tblaxland has answered most of your queries, but here's some more.

That first flight was considered a success, even though this happened:-
http://s89.photobucket.com/albums/k207/Notebook_04/?action=view&current=f1.flv

A report on that first flight
http://www.spaceuk.org/bstreak/bs/f1.htm

Another point of view.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k207/Notebook_04/img034-1.jpg
The author did work on Blue Streak, so he might be a bit biased...

You are seeing the heat exchangers/gas generator exhaust. They weren't between the engines, they were offset to one side. They took the exhaust gasses from the turbo pump gas generator, and vapourised Lox, and liquid Nitrogen. The gaseous Oxygen pressurised the Lox tank, and the gaseous Nitrogen the Kerosene tank.
They swivelled after launch, originally they were pointing in-board for launch clearance, then swivelled out-board. This was to stop exhaust gas recirculating at altittude.
On the video, I think you can see them moving just as the rocket leaves the top of frame, or I might be imagining it.
You can see the exhausts here:-
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k207/Notebook_04/img035.jpg
The turbo-pumps were run fuel rich to keep the temperature in limits. Thats why the exhaust colour is different from the actual rocket exhaust.

He is the Range Safety Officer, and yes its a big red button! If you look in his left hand, he is holding some sort of switch. I think this is a "dead mans handle" you need to be holding this shut for the red button to be in circuit. My guess.
Bit more info here:-
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k207/Notebook_04/img036.jpg

I haven't looked for Europa videos, I'm more interested in Blue Streak at the moment, its simpler!

This does have a video of a Europa launch, and some others.
http://www.spaceuk.org/videos/vid.htm

N.

 

[tblaxland]

It shows a "Lox Tunnel" just to the right/above of the Lox pumphouse switchroom. This could link up with the zig-zag Lox supply line on the South side. If we assume what ASRI says is correct?

I am convinced they are correct.

If it is a lox supply line, does this mean they had a lox production plant on-site? If it was brought in by tanker, you would just deliver it to the tank on the North side.

I couldn't imagine shipping LOX all the way out to Woomera so I did some searching and turned up this article from shortly before the F1 launch:
http://news.google.com/newspapers?n...YgVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TuYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4580,7725669 (please ignore the cricket scores on the right hand side )

A plant capable of making 100 tons of liquid oxygen weekly has been constructed.

Bit risky putting a plant like that next to your operations buildings.

I don't know about that. How do you make LOX?

No zig-zags, but the lox dump tank(6) does have a right -angle in the pipe...

The zig-zag still bothers me too. Would slush forming in the LOX be a potential problem if the line was straight?

---------- Post added at 11:14 ---------- Previous post was at 10:48 ----------

I just realised that the zig-zag is for thermal movement. Rather than having complex slip joints, the thermal movement is taken up as slight rotational movement at the elbows. To back up the theory, I found references to that type of construction in this document:
http://igs.nigc.ir/igs/bank-matn/IPS/e-pi-140.PDF

 

[Notebook]

Thanks for that tb, good stuff as always!

The pipe-work document is a clincher, very interesting.

I found this old drawing of the Spadeadam Rocket Establishment:
http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1960/1960 - 1992.html

​

​

No photograph can give a direct pictorial impression of the SRE, and
accordingly our artist John Marsden has prepared this illustration. Even
this is necessarily falsified, since if a true representation of the establishment
were to be compressed into this page the individual installations​

would be too small to identify

It does seem they weren't that bothered where they placed the Lox plant, maybe its not as dangerous as I thought?

Its still there on Google Earth at
55.026746° -2.605573°
Quite close to the admin buildings.

A bit about Lox here:
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Liquid_oxygen
To be honest, I think I've seen LOX tankers on the roads?

As far as I can tell there is no pipe-work at Spadeadam, from the plant to the pads, so they must have tankered it.

Which brings up another question!

I'd assumed that they were telemetry cables and ran back to the control building. As they are lox pipe-work, then the common junction must have been the lox plant location?

So, where is the control building?

That Sydney Morning Herald article is good, at least they get their facts right.
I couldn't read the cricket scores, the digits are too small. I'll presume they were for Australia...

Just in case, I'd better get my retaliation in first:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k207/Notebook_04/PE_2.jpg

Nice to see the national stereotypes are still alive and well.

Best wishes, N.