Central Instrumentation Facility
Encyclopedia
The Central Instrumentation Facility (CIF) is the core of instrumentation and data processing operations at NASA
's John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida
supporting KSC's space launch responsibilities. It centralizes the handling of the center's data including offices, laboratories and test stations; and houses general instrumentation activities serving more than one launch complex.
The CIF also houses computers and other electronic equipment for reduction of telemetry
data, analysis, and transmission to other NASA centers. The three-story structure of approximately 134335 sq ft (12,480.1 m²) just west of the KSC Headquarters Building is one of the most distinctive buildings in the KSC Industrial Area with its rooftop array of various antennas
.
operations at Complexes 34 and 37, such experience was of limited value, because the distance from Launch Complex 39 to its Launch Control Center
was more than 14 times as long. Planning and construction were coordinated with other NASA centers and with the Atlantic Missile Range. All metal in the building was grounded, and commercial power and the instrumentation power systems were grounded separately. Fluorescent lights, a source of electromagnetic interference, were not permitted. Its architect, Charles Luckman
, also designed other nearby buildings.
The CIF was added to the U.S.
National Register of Historic Places
on January 21, 2000.
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
's John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
supporting KSC's space launch responsibilities. It centralizes the handling of the center's data including offices, laboratories and test stations; and houses general instrumentation activities serving more than one launch complex.
The CIF also houses computers and other electronic equipment for reduction of telemetry
Telemetry
Telemetry is a technology that allows measurements to be made at a distance, usually via radio wave transmission and reception of the information. The word is derived from Greek roots: tele = remote, and metron = measure...
data, analysis, and transmission to other NASA centers. The three-story structure of approximately 134335 sq ft (12,480.1 m²) just west of the KSC Headquarters Building is one of the most distinctive buildings in the KSC Industrial Area with its rooftop array of various antennas
Antenna (radio)
An antenna is an electrical device which converts electric currents into radio waves, and vice versa. It is usually used with a radio transmitter or radio receiver...
.
History
The CIF reflected the desire of Karl Sendler, KSC's first director of information systems, and his planners to centralize data handling. Although it was based on systems developed during Saturn ISaturn I
The Saturn I was the United States' first heavy-lift dedicated space launcher, a rocket designed specifically to launch large payloads into low Earth orbit. Most of the rocket's power came from a clustered lower stage consisting of tanks taken from older rocket designs and strapped together to make...
operations at Complexes 34 and 37, such experience was of limited value, because the distance from Launch Complex 39 to its Launch Control Center
Launch Control Center
The Launch Control Center is a four-story building located at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, Florida used for the supervision of launches from Launch Complex 39. In practice, this means that the LCC handles all American manned space flights...
was more than 14 times as long. Planning and construction were coordinated with other NASA centers and with the Atlantic Missile Range. All metal in the building was grounded, and commercial power and the instrumentation power systems were grounded separately. Fluorescent lights, a source of electromagnetic interference, were not permitted. Its architect, Charles Luckman
Charles Luckman
Charles Luckman was a businessman and an American architect, famous as the "Boy Wonder of American Business" when he was named president of the Pepsodent toothpaste company in 1939 at the age of thirty...
, also designed other nearby buildings.
The CIF was added to the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on January 21, 2000.