Production Operations Under Way At Kennedy Space Center
Preparations for Orion’s first mission in 2013 are well
under way as a Lockheed Martin-led crew begins lean assembly
pathfinding operations for the spacecraft. The crew is conducting
simulated manufacturing and assembly operations with a full-scale
Orion mockup to verify the tools, processes and spacecraft
integration procedures work as expected.
Image Credit: NASA
Designed as the nation’s next generation spacecraft for
human spaceflight, the Orion crew exploration vehicle is intended
to support missions to the International Space Station and far
beyond into deep space. The Orion spacecraft will be fully
assembled and integrated on site in the Operations & Checkout
(O&C) Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in
Florida, a capability that provides significant time and cost
savings.
“The unique benefit of this complete on-site operation is
that we will build the spacecraft and then move it directly onto
the launch vehicle at KSC, which saves the government
transportation costs associated with tests and checkout prior to
launch,” said Lockheed Martin Orion Deputy Program Manager
for production operations Richard Harris. “This capability
also facilitates the KSC workforce transition efforts by providing
new job opportunities for those employees completing their shuttle
program assignments.”
Dubbed the “the spacecraft factory of the future”,
the O&C, underwent a two-year renovation effort led by Lockheed
Martin with support from Space Florida and NASA. The collaborative
effort created a state-of-the-art complex designed with the
flexibility to support NASA’s next generation spacecraft
fleet.
Technical innovations incorporated into the O&C include
90,000 square feet of air-bearing floor space, paperless work
stations, a portable clean room system, and specialized
lifting/lowering and support tools that were designed by United
Space Alliance (USA). Specially designed air-bearing pallets will
enable a small crew to effortlessly maneuver spacecraft hardware
across the factory floor. The building renovation also incorporated
modern energy efficient HVAC and electrical systems which will
further enhance cost savings for the life cycle of the
facility.
Artist's Conception Of Orion Returning From The Moon NASA
Image
With the help of an advanced crane that can position the
spacecraft within millimeters of its target, the crew module, heat
shield and service module will be integrated in tooling stations
located on the O&C’s factory floor. These tooling
stations are portable and will be moved to various Orion facilities
around the country to provide low-cost and affordable vehicle
processing on the Orion project.
The industry team supporting O&C tooling station operations
include Lockheed Martin, USA and EMF, Inc. a small business based
in Merritt Island, FL, that built the tooling station and support
pallets.
According to EMF Vice President Jeff Flick, the Orion program
has been a “bright spot” in the space industry.
“As a small business owner that supports NASA and the
Department of Defense, I believe it is critical for our country to
retain the unique skill mix of expertise that supports key national
programs such as human space flight and defense
initiatives.”