SLD30I91-703 — Train Hold Criteria

SLD30I91-703 governs train protection, hold or proceed decisions, toxic hazard delays, and disaster response during launch operations.

Search SLD30I91-703

  • Publication number: SLD30I91-703
  • Title: TRAIN HOLD CRITERIA
  • Date: 2021-12-13

View SLD30I91-703 on armypubs.army.mil


SLD30I91-703 covers railroad coordination, train locations and schedules, hazard analysis, countdown decisions, and launch timing. It requires procedures for holding trains, clearing tracks, and responding to debris and toxic hazards.

Applies to: It applies to all Space Launch Delta 30 (SLD30) units involved in launch operations.

Topics covered

  • Railroad train protection
  • Train protection areas
  • Toxic hazard corridors
  • Launch countdown holds
  • Railroad track clearance
  • Train traffic coordination

Questions and answers

How must train locations and schedules be reported during launch operations?

The ASO will ensure the current location, movement, and schedules for all trains in the Vandenberg SFB area are documented and reported to the ROC and MFCO/RSM as defined in 30SWI13-207, Range Surveillance. (paragraph 3)

How is the train protection area determined?

The FSA will analyze predicted debris and toxic hazards to UPRR assets during the countdown, update the train protection area if necessary, and provide it to the MFCO/RSM. The train protection area will be based on the Impact Limit Line, the debris risk contours, the Tier 2 catastrophic abort toxic hazard corridor (THC), or the Tier 2 normal THC, whichever is more conservative. (paragraph 3)

When will a launch operation be held because of a train?

A launch operation will be held if a train is projected to be in the train protection area with a violation of the individual risk criteria for either a debris or toxic hazard and the Launch Decision Authority (LDA) has not granted a waiver for the train to be there at liftoff. (paragraph 3)

What happens if debris may impact railroad assets?

If a launch area destruct action, a self-abort or a planned jettison occurs where debris is suspected to impact railroad assets, the MFCO/RSM will instruct the ASO to request the MRO stop all trains until UPRR can inspect and clear the tracks. (paragraph 3)

What must a train engineer do during a Tier 2 toxic hazard corridor?

The ASO will request that the MRO advise the train engineer to close all windows and doors while in this area. (paragraph 3)

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