• The LETF is to provide development prototyping, qualification testing, and general testing capabilities for the Constellation Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and Ground Systems.
  
  
• LETF is in support of the KSC Constellation Ground Operations Project whose primary role is to develop and operate the ground infrastructure to process and launch flight elements of the Constellation Program.
  
  
• The VMS is made up of Random Motion Simulators (RMS) and a Lift Off Simulator (LOS).
  
  
  • The VMS is intended to simulate the vehicle motion expected during the time span between buildup of the vehicle and launch. This includes any motion expected from exposure to the Florida environment.
    

Launch Equipment Test Facility (LETF) at KSC.

The GRC has been tasked to design a new Vehicle Motion Simulator (VMS) in support of umbilical systems qualification testing at KSC.

• March 2009 is the projected need date for the VMS to complete the activation and validation of the system.
  
  
  • This need date is predicated on the Mobile Launch Platform (MLP) qualification testing of umbilical systems and interconnects between the MLP GSE and the vehicle.
    
    
• The existing RMS/LOS hardware was a hydraulically driven platform and tower intended to simulate launch vehicle motions.
  

GRC Responsibility

• Structural analysis of current Random Motion Simulator/Lift Off Simulator (RMS/LOS) structure (both RMS/LOS and 2nd RMS) for feasibility to use in the new design,
• Hydraulic system design (including the water cooling system),
• Control system hardware and software design including: the software implementation, instrumentation design, fabrication and activation/validation support to KSC
• Support to KSC for umbilical system testing for a one year period after activation as the systems design expert.
• Complete a design package based on an agreed upon design process. GRC will be responsible for procurements required to support the design process.