New NASA System to Keep Lightning Off The Launchpad

coondoggie writes to tell us that NASA is building a new system to protect people and equipment on the shuttle launchpad from lightning strikes. "The new structure called a catenary wire system, will be the largest on the space compound and will feature large cables strung between three 594-foot-tall steel and fiberglass towers. Each tower is topped with a fiberglass mast and a series of catenary wires and down conductors designed to divert lightning away from the rocket and service structure. This configuration helps keep the vehicle isolated from dangerous lightning currents, NASA said."

Comments

Worth the price?

[Sibko]

Not only does NASA only launch when the weather is good, but the Space Shuttles themselves are about to go out of service.

Unless they launch other rockets from Cape Canaveral this building seems wholly useless; and even if they do, it still seems unnecessary considering the few problems NASA has actually had with lightning. [Mostly thanks to their proactive decision to not launch during lightning storms.]

Quite honestly, I'd have rather seen the money for this giant lightning rod go to one of the canceled science missions.