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National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Goddard Space Flight Center



Astrophysics Science Division | Sciences and Exploration

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XRS-2 PhotosLaunch →On the Pad

It's like sprinkling from a fire hose! (68K JPEG)

The rocket on the pad shortly before launch. Below the pad, and to the left, you can see the fire suppression sprinklers being tested. Solid rocket motors tend to drop chunks of burning fuel, which will set fire to the trees around the launch pad. The sprinklers are tested just before launch (which also helps by soaking all the burnable material).


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Goddard