Launch pad to the moon: Construction bidding cost of Launch Complex 39, part 1

摘要

This report discusses and summarizes the major construction contracts of Apollo Launch Complex 39 with methods, bid costs, and unit prices totaling over 200,000,000. These separate contracts were for design; dredging and fill; foundations, steel piles, and vibroflotation; structural steel; general construction; outfitting High Bay no. 2; additional elevators; and bridge cranes for the Vehicle Assembly Building, the world's largest building at the time of construction. Other major facilities and machines of LC-39 are Launch Pads A, B, and Crawlerway, Mobile Service Structure, Crawler Transporter, Industrial Water Supply, and Propellant System Components Laboratory. Some especially interesting construction methods used were critical path method of scheduling and payment, beam hanger suspended forming system eliminating 524 feet high shoring, four-story railcar cages for handing insulated siding, vibratory sonic hammers for steel piling, and helicopters for special lifting.