RS RocketShip

Last updated

Rocketship 1 (cropped).jpg
R/S RocketShip in 2019
History
Flag of the United States.svg
Name
  • MV Delta Mariner (1999-2019)
  • RS RocketShip (2019-present)
OwnerBanc of America Leasing & Capital
Operator Keystone Shipping Company
Port of registry Port Canaveral, Florida [1]
Builder
Laid downOctober 26, 1998 [1]
LaunchedDecember 16, 1999 [3]
ChristenedDecember 16, 1999 [4]
In serviceMay 18, 2000 [1]
RecommissionedSeptember 27, 2019 [5]
Identification
General characteristics
TypeRoll-on/roll-off cargo ship
Tonnage
  • 8,679  GT
  • 3,953  NT
  • 3,887.6 LT  DWT
  • 3,950 t  DWT
Length312.6 ft (95.28 m) [1]
Beam82.0 ft (24.99 m) [1]
Height50 ft (15.2 m) [7]
Draft15.2 ft (4.64 m) [6]
Depth20.0 ft (6.09 m) [1]
Installed power
Speed
  • 15 kn (28 km/h; 17 mph) (max. ocean)
  • 5 kn (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph) (max. river) [7]
Crew16 + river pilots [9]

R/S RocketShip, [10] formerly M/V Delta Mariner, is a roll-on/roll-off cargo ship operated by Keystone Shipping Company for United Launch Alliance (ULA). [11] Her primary role is transporting components for the ULA Atlas V, Delta IV and Vulcan rockets from the manufacturer, located in Decatur, Alabama, to launch facilities at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida and Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

Contents

The ship is designed for shallow inland waterways as well as the open ocean and is capable of carrying up to three 160-foot-long (49 m) Delta IV Common Booster Cores. [12] [13] Some cargos carried by RocketShip were formerly transported by an Antonov An-124 Ruslan from the manufacturer to the launch site. [14]

History

Delta Mariner docked at Port Canaveral, Florida, 2008 Delta Mariner docked at Port Canaveral (08PD-3497).jpg
Delta Mariner docked at Port Canaveral, Florida, 2008

Use of Delta Mariner was transferred to ULA after the company was created in 2006 to handle all United States military launch services. ULA is a 50/50 joint venture created out of the rocket manufacturing and launch service businesses of Boeing and Lockheed Martin for their Delta and Atlas V launch vehicles, respectively. For ULA, the ship has transported the Atlas V, Delta IV and Delta II rockets under the Delta Mariner livery.

On September 27, 2019, United Launch Alliance re-christened the vessel RocketShip in a ceremony at its factory in Decatur. [15] [5]

Shipping routes

Completed rocket stages and other components are transported by truck approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the Decatur manufacturing facility to the dock on the Tennessee River and driven directly onto the ship. [2]

From Decatur, RocketShip takes the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers downstream, south on the Mississippi River, and into the Gulf of Mexico, a trip of more than 1,000 miles (1,600 km). [16] [17]

Once in the Gulf, RocketShip may travel around the Florida peninsula to Cape Canaveral, a 2,100-mile (3,400 km) trip; or through the Panama Canal to Vandenberg, a three-week journey which covers around 5,000 miles (8,000 km). [2] [18] [19]

Incidents

Grounding

On August 7, 2001, Delta Mariner ran aground on a sandbar in the Tennessee River during its initial docking attempt at Decatur. This was Delta Mariner's first arrival at the dock since its launch. [20] The vessel was freed by a tugboat about an hour after the incident. [21]

Bridge collision

Delta Mariner after its collision with Eggner's Ferry Bridge Delta Mariner after Eggner Ferry Bridge incident.jpg
Delta Mariner after its collision with Eggner's Ferry Bridge

On January 26, 2012, around 20:10 CST, Delta Mariner struck the Eggner's Ferry Bridge, which crosses Kentucky Lake near Murray and Cadiz, Kentucky. There were no injuries on the ship or bridge, and, while Delta Mariner was "not severely damaged" and the cargo of Atlas and Centaur stages was undamaged, [18] [21] the collision destroyed a 322-foot (98 m) section of the bridge. [22] [23]

According to Foss Maritime's spokesman, this was on the regular route taken by the vessel. [21] U.S. Coast Guard officials state the vessel was operating in a recreational channel at the time of the collision, rather than the shipping channel which offers greater bridge clearance. [24] Foss representatives stated that the bridge's channel navigation lights were not operational, though Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) Secretary Mike Hancock stated this should not have been a significant factor in the incident and KYTC spokesman Keith Todd said he believes most of the lights were functioning at the time. [25] [26]

The ship remained anchored at the bridge after the incident took place so that salvage plans could be developed and equipment moved into place. Salvage operations were led by T&T Bisso of Houston, with assistance from local and regional companies. [27] During February 4–5, salvage divers worked to remove debris which caught underwater on Delta Mariner's hull. [28] On February 6, the vessel was freed from the underwater debris and the Coast Guard approved its relocation to a safe harbor one mile downriver so that its bow could be cleared. [29] [30] By February 14, the bridge debris had been cleared and the vessel had relocated to the James Marine drydock in Paducah, Kentucky, to undergo repairs. [31] Delta Mariner was cleared by the American Bureau of Shipping on February 17 to proceed on its journey, and it docked at Port Canaveral, Florida, on February 23. [32]

In their investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board concluded that "the bridge team's exclusive reliance on the contract pilot's incorrect navigational direction as the vessel approached the bridge and their failure to use all available navigation tools to verify the safety of the vessel's course" was the cause of the incident, noting that the bridge crew ignored two Coast Guard broadcasts and a radio call from the vessel Addi Bell regarding navigational lights being out at the bridge. The NTSB cited the KYTC's failure to maintain the bridge's navigational lighting as a contributing factor; white navigation lights had been out of service for over a year and additional navigation lights indicating the bridge's high point had shorted out in the days leading up to the incident. [33] [34]

Repairs to the bridge, led by Hall Contracting, cost more than US$7 million according to the KYTC, and costs associated with repairs to Delta Mariner and removal of debris from its hull were estimated at US$2,583,750. [11] The bridge reopened on May 25, 2012. [35] In 2017, Foss Maritime agreed to pay US$3,375,000 to the KYTC as settlement in the incident. [36]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cape Canaveral Space Force Station</span> Military rocket launch site in Florida

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) is an installation of the United States Space Force's Space Launch Delta 45, located on Cape Canaveral in Brevard County, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delta (rocket family)</span> Rocket family

The Delta rocket family was a versatile range of American rocket-powered expendable launch systems that provided space launch capability in the United States from 1960 to 2024. Japan also launched license-built derivatives from 1975 to 1992. More than 300 Delta rockets were launched with a 95% success rate. The series was phased out in favor of the Vulcan Centaur, with the Delta IV Heavy rocket's last launch occurring on April 9, 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delta IV</span> Retired expendable launch system in the Delta rocket family

Delta IV was a group of five expendable launch systems in the Delta rocket family. It flew 45 missions from 2002 to 2024. Originally designed by Boeing's Defense, Space and Security division for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program, the Delta IV became a United Launch Alliance (ULA) product in 2006. The Delta IV was primarily a launch vehicle for United States Air Force (USAF) military payloads, but was also used to launch a number of United States government non-military payloads and a single commercial satellite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RL10</span> Liquid fuel cryogenic rocket engine, typically used on rocket upper stages

The RL10 is a liquid-fuel cryogenic rocket engine built in the United States by Aerojet Rocketdyne that burns cryogenic liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellants. Modern versions produce up to 110 kN (24,729 lbf) of thrust per engine in vacuum. Three RL10 versions are in production for the Centaur upper stage of the Atlas V and the DCSS of the Delta IV. Three more versions are in development for the Exploration Upper Stage of the Space Launch System and the Centaur V of the Vulcan rocket.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atlas V</span> Expendable launch system

Atlas V is an expendable launch system and the fifth major version in the Atlas launch vehicle family. It was designed by Lockheed Martin and has been operated by United Launch Alliance (ULA) since 2006. It is used for DoD, NASA, and commercial payloads. It is America's longest-serving active rocket. After 87 launches, in August 2021 ULA announced that Atlas V would be retired, and all 29 remaining launches had been sold. As of July 2024, 15 launches remain. Production ceased in 2024. Other future ULA launches will use the Vulcan Centaur rocket.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Graphite-Epoxy Motor</span> American solid rocket booster

The Graphite-Epoxy Motor (GEM) is a family of solid rocket boosters developed in the late 1980s and used since 1990. GEM motors are manufactured with carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer casings and a fuel consisting of HTPB-bound ammonium perchlorate composite propellant. GEM is produced by Northrop Grumman Space Systems. GEM boosters are used on the Atlas V and were previously used on the Delta II, Delta III, and Delta IV launch vehicles. A new variant, the GEM 63XL, flew as part of the Vulcan Centaur launch vehicle on 8 January 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 6</span> Launch pad

Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 6 is a launch pad and associated support infrastructure at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Construction at the site began in 1966, but the first launch didn't occur until 1995 due to program cancellations and subsequent repurposing efforts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Launch Alliance</span> Joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Boeing

United Launch Alliance, LLC (ULA) is an American launch service provider formed in December 2006 as a joint venture between Lockheed Martin Space and Boeing Defense, Space & Security. The company designs, assembles, sells and launches rockets, but the company subcontracts out the production of rocket engines and solid rocket boosters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common Booster Core</span> American rocket stage

The Common Booster Core (CBC) was an American rocket stage, which was used on the Delta IV rocket as part of a modular rocket system. Delta IV rockets flying in the Medium and Medium+ configurations each used a single Common Booster Core as their first stage, while the Heavy configuration used three; one as the first stage and two as boosters. The Common Booster Core was 40.8 metres (134 ft) long, had a diameter of 5.1 metres (17 ft) and was powered by a single RS-68 engine burning liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 37</span> Space vehicle launch complex on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida

Space Launch Complex 37 (SLC-37), previously Launch Complex 37 (LC-37), is a launch complex on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. Construction began in 1959 and the site was accepted by NASA to support the Saturn I program in 1963. The complex consists of two launch pads. LC-37A has never been used, but LC-37B launched uncrewed Saturn I flights and was modified and launched Saturn IB flights, including the first (uncrewed) test of the Apollo Lunar Module in space. It was deactivated in 1972. In 2001 it was modified as the launch site for Delta IV, a launch system operated by United Launch Alliance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atlas (rocket family)</span> Family of American missiles and space launch vehicles

Atlas is a family of US missiles and space launch vehicles that originated with the SM-65 Atlas. The Atlas intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program was initiated in the late 1950s under the Convair Division of General Dynamics. Atlas was a liquid propellant rocket burning RP-1 kerosene fuel with liquid oxygen in three engines configured in an unusual "stage-and-a-half" or "parallel staging" design: two outboard booster engines were jettisoned along with supporting structures during ascent, while the center sustainer engine, propellant tanks and other structural elements remained connected through propellant depletion and engine shutdown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wideband Global SATCOM</span> Defense satellite communications project

The Wideband Global SATCOM system (WGS) is a high capacity United States Space Force satellite communications system planned for use in partnership by the United States Department of Defense (DoD), Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) and the Australian Department of Defence. The system is composed of the Space Segment satellites, the Terminal Segment users and the Control Segment operators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delta IV Heavy</span> Variant of the Delta IV space launch vehicle

The Delta IV Heavy was an expendable heavy-lift launch vehicle, the largest type of the Delta IV family. It was the world's third highest-capacity launch vehicle in operation at the time of its retirement in 2024, behind NASA's Space Launch System and SpaceX's Falcon Heavy and closely followed by CASC's Long March 5. It was manufactured by United Launch Alliance (ULA) and was first launched in 2004. ULA retired the Delta IV Heavy in 2024. Future ULA launches will use the new Vulcan Centaur rocket. Delta IV's final flight was on 9 April 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eggner's Ferry Bridge</span> Bridge in Kentucky, United States

Eggner Ferry Bridge, also known as Eggner's Ferry Bridge, is a four-lane bridge in Trigg and Marshall counties in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The current through-arch bridge opened to traffic on April 7, 2016, replacing a two-lane bowstring truss bridge constructed in 1932. The bridge carries US 68 and Kentucky Route 80 across Kentucky Lake. The main span of the original 1932 bridge collapsed on January 26, 2012, after it was hit by a ship. There were no injuries. The bridge was repaired and reopened to traffic on May 25 of that year. On the morning of July 25, 2016, the middle four spans of the old Eggner's Ferry Bridge were brought down using controlled explosives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boeing Starliner</span> Class of partially reusable crew capsules

The Boeing Starliner is a class of partially reusable spacecraft designed to transport crew to the International Space Station (ISS) and other low-Earth-orbit destinations. It is manufactured by Boeing, with the Commercial Crew Program (CCP) of NASA as the lead customer. The spacecraft consists of a crew capsule that can be reused on up to ten missions and an expendable service module.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GPS Block IIF</span> Operational generation of GPS satellites

GPS Block IIF, or GPS IIF is an interim class of GPS (satellite) which were used to bridge the gap between previous Navstar Global Positioning System generations until the GPS Block III satellites became operational. They were built by Boeing, operated by the United States Air Force, and launched by the United Launch Alliance (ULA) using Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles (EELV). They are the final component of the Block II GPS constellation to be launched. On 5 February 2016, the final Block IIF satellite was successfully launched, completing the series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vulcan Centaur</span> United Launch Alliance launch vehicle

Vulcan Centaur is a heavy-lift launch vehicle created and operated by United Launch Alliance (ULA). It is a two-stage-to-orbit launch vehicle consisting of the Vulcan first stage and the Centaur second stage. It replaces ULA's Atlas V and Delta IV rockets. It is principally designed for the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program, which launches satellites for U.S. intelligence agencies and the Defense Department, but will also be used for commercial launches.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "RocketShip (0038725)". ABS Record. American Bureau of Shipping . Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 Salazar, Larry (August 6, 2001). "Delta Mariner Arrival Will Launch Boeing Delta IV on Final Leg of Journey" (Press release). Boeing. Archived from the original on February 1, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
  3. ↑ "Boeing sets sail with world's newest rocket ship" (Press release). Boeing. Spaceflight Now. December 16, 1999. Retrieved January 31, 2012.
  4. ↑ "World's Newest Rocket Ship Ready for Launch in Mississippi" (Press release). Boeing. December 15, 1999. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  5. 1 2 Ross, Rodneya (September 27, 2019). "United Launch Alliance renames ship used to transport rockets". WAAY 31. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  6. 1 2 "Delta Mariner (IMO 9198501) - Ro-Ro Cargo Ship". Vessel Tracking. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  7. 1 2 Gossett, Dave (October 24, 2008). "Delta Mariner sails the Ohio River". Herald-Star . Archived from the original on June 28, 2009.
  8. 1 2 3 "Authority to Construct/Permit to Operate No. 10846-02" (PDF). SBCAPCD.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 18, 2007. Retrieved February 1, 2012.
  9. ↑ Hatton, Angie (January 31, 2012). "Delta Mariner salvage plan moves ahead with assistance from Murray company". Murray Ledger & Times. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
  10. ↑ @ToryBruno (September 27, 2019). "An updated infographic for the Rocketship" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  11. 1 2 Allision of the Cargo Vessel M/V Delta Mariner with Eggner's Ferry Bridge, Tennessee River, Near Aurora, Kentucky, January 26, 2012 (PDF) (Report). National Transportation Safety Board. 2013. NTSB/MAR-13/02; PB2013-106636.
  12. ↑ Saxer, Robert K; Knauf, James M; Drake, Linda R; Portanova, Pete L (March–April 2002). "Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle Systems" (PDF). Project Manager. 31 (2).
  13. ↑ Cox, Martin (January 27, 2012). "MV Delta Mariner Rocket Carrier Destroys Kentucky Bridge". Maritime Matters. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
  14. ↑ Bergin, Chris (July 30, 2011). "NASA Juno FRR completed – Atlas and Delta share a ride on the Mariner". NASASpaceflight.com. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
  15. ↑ @ULALaunch (September 27, 2019). "ULA introduces RocketShip..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  16. ↑ "Ship carrying rocket parts, hits Kentucky bridge". NBC News. Associated Press. January 27, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
  17. ↑ Underwood, Jerry (October 7, 2019). "ULA's Alabama-based RocketShip makes first delivery with new name". Made in Alabama. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  18. 1 2 Bergin, Chris (January 28, 2012). "No impact to two ULA missions following Delta Mariner accident". NASA Spaceflight. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
  19. ↑ Bauer, Steve (November 15, 2011). "Delta Mariner offloads launch components at Vandenberg". AF.mil. Archived from the original on September 8, 2014. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
  20. ↑ Salazar, Larry (August 7, 2001). "Boeing Announces Decatur Docking by Delta Mariner to be Delayed" (Press release). Boeing. Archived from the original on November 6, 2011. Retrieved February 1, 2012.
  21. 1 2 3 Lovan, Dylan; Barrouquere, Brett (January 27, 2012). "Eggner Ferry Bridge Hit By Delta Mariner Ship In Kentucky". Huffington Post. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
  22. ↑ Fleischauer, Eric (January 27, 2012). "Decatur-based Delta Mariner hits Kentucky bridge". Decatur Daily. Archived from the original on January 21, 2013.
  23. ↑ Hughes, Bill (May 15, 2012). "New Bridge Span Successfully Installed". West Kentucky Star. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  24. ↑ Kenning, Chris (January 28, 2012). "Ship in wrong channel tears through Kentucky Lake bridge, officials say". The Courier-Journal . Retrieved January 28, 2012.
  25. ↑ Cline-Thomas, Aundrea (January 28, 2012). "New Details Emerge About Bridge Collapse". NewsChannel5.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2012. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  26. ↑ "Ship carrying rocket parts hits Kentucky bridge". USA Today. Associated Press. January 27, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
  27. ↑ Hatton, Angie (February 4, 2012). "Coast Guard OKs ship salvage plan". Murray Ledger & Times. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
  28. ↑ Wyrick, Arnold (February 5, 2012). "Crews work to free the Delta Mariner". KFVS. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
  29. ↑ Baskin, Shelly (February 6, 2012). "Delta Mariner Moved from Site of Bridge Collision". WKMS. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  30. ↑ "Rocket parts-carrying ship that hit Kentucky bridge moved away from span". The Huntsville Times. Associated Press. February 6, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  31. ↑ "Ship that collapsed bridge now at Paducah drydock". WKRN. February 15, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  32. ↑ Ray, Justin (February 23, 2012). "Cape takes delivery of next Atlas 5 aboard Mariner ship". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  33. ↑ "Report: Ship Crew Ignored Warnings Before Hitting Kentucky Bridge". Insurance Journal. May 16, 2013. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  34. ↑ Yanchunas, Dom (August 28, 2013). "NTSB: Ship crashed into Ky. bridge because of pilot's error, faulty lights". Professional Mariner. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  35. ↑ "Eggners Ferry Bridge Reopened". West Kentucky Star. May 25, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  36. ↑ "$3M settlement reached in bridge lawsuit". Associated Press. July 12, 2017. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.