KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A recently installed fertilizer-producing system sits near Launch Pad 39A (upper left background). Using a "scrubber," the system captures nitrogen tetroxide vapor that develops as a by-product when it is transferred from ground storage tanks into the Shuttle storage tanks. Nitrogen tetroxide is used as the oxidizer for the hypergolic propellant in the Shuttle's on-orbit reaction control system. The scrubber then uses hydrogen peroxide to produce nitric acid, which, after adding potassium hydroxide, converts to potassium nitrate, a commercial fertilizer. The black tanker at left is collecting the potassium nitrate, which will be used on the orange groves that KSC leases to outside companies
Location Kennedy Space Center, FL
Date April 7, 2000