“We need a large open area, because our vehicle is much more accessible than the Shuttle was, and we don’t need hazardous operations because of our non toxic propellants we have on-board. “(However,) an OPF may not be the ideal facility for our vehicle, because they have all the structures that were specific to the shuttle that would have to be removed. “We’ve been in discussions with the Kennedy Space Center and Space Florida about facilities (at the spaceport),” noted Jim Voss, SNC director of advanced programs and program executive for Dream Chaser to last year. There is hope Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) will be the next company to move into KSC, as they continue to evaluate facilities at the spaceport for their Dream Chaser vehicle. The fate of OPF-1 and OPF-2 remains unknown, although a KSC status report (L2), has shown the spaceport is starting to prepare both high bays for new tenants: “OPF 1/2 and the Annex will begin transition for future operations (this month).” It also changed call signs, from OPF-3 to the Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility (C3PF), with work officially started in September, 2011 – for completion in the summer of this year. Transitioning the facility has resulted in the removal of the platforms and orbiter-dedicated hardware, creating what is known as a “clean floor” workspace. In addition to the October announcement, Boeing announced it would be locating its Commercial Crew Program headquarters at the world famous spaceport. This agreement allowed Space Florida to lease OPF-3 to the Boeing Company to manufacture and test the company’s Crew Space Transportation (CST-100) spacecraft, creating up to 550 jobs along the Space Coast. The deal between NASA and Space Florida includes the use and modification of OPF-3, the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) Processing Facility and Processing Control Center (PCC). OPF High Bay 3 is already deep into its transition, following the October, 2011 deal for a 15 year lease, agreed between NASA and Space Florida – the State’s aerospace economic development agency. The buildings had everything an orbiter needed for her processing flow, ranging from 30-ton bridge cranes, two rolling bridges, communications rooms, offices and supervisory control rooms and a huge array of platforms surrounding the vehicle to allow engineers and technicians to access all areas of the orbiter. The buildings are made from pre-insulated metal siding on a structural steel frame and features specialized heavy electrical and environmental control systems that protected the orbiters during processing. The open bay space inside an OPF High Bay consists of 30,000 square feet of clear floor area with a clear height of nearly 100 feet.

Unlike a lot of KSC’s facilities – that were constructed for the Apollo Program before being repurposed – the OPF buildings were constructed specifically for the orbiters. On the occasions where all four orbiters were at KSC, but outside of a mating or pad flow, one vehicle was hosted inside the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). OPF-3 initially started life as the NASA Orbiter Modification and Refurbishment Facility (OMRF), before its own transition as the orbiter fleet grew in numbers. They were joined by OPF High Bay 3, which has a single story-office building attached. OPF High Bay 1 and 2 were constructed in the late 1970s, connected by a 233-foot-long low bay. Technically, the three buildings are collectively known as the Orbiter Processing Facility – consisting of three “high bays” and support rooms. However, only one of the buildings has confirmed a tenant for the new era at this time.

As the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) continues its transformation into a multi-user spaceport, the three buildings dedicated to processing the since-retired Space Shuttle orbiters are aiming to once again host engineers busily tending to their spacecraft.

Kennedy orbiter processing facility