Quote:
Originally Posted by Oberon
That being said, did the equipment lockout include the red box where the codes were kept, and the keys for the ignition sequence?
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No.
The launch codes (note plural) are kept in a separately secured container, secured with a combination that is changed way too often.
The maintenance lockout is very simular to the safety lockouts used in civilian industry. It is a way to lock out a circuit or a piece of machinery so that someone does not turn it on/operate it while maintenance is underway.
The intent of the lockout is not to physically prevent someone from operating something, but more for informing them.
The lockout can be a padlock or can be an electronic lockout on a control panel. I don't think getting into too much detail about what goes on in the launch silos and LCFs really helps.
BTW, depending on the article, the number of zeros changes. There is one story that has the code at twelve zeros! That is one big lock!!!