dsc68260.jpg

A view of the boattail conditioning and water quench system hookup (the silver pipe from the deck of the launch pad to the bottom of the rocket).

The boattail conditioning and water quench system provided conditioned gaseous nitrogen or water to the engine compartment. The GN₂ was used to provide a temperature-controlled atmosphere in the boattail area. In the event of a fire or any malfunction causing engine shutdown, a cold GN₂ or, if necessary, a water quench would have been supplied to the boattail area.