LAUNCH VEHICLE TEST STAND SLS was tasked to evaluate the lightning susceptibility of a first stage booster while it is affixed to the test stand. SLS performed detailed Monte Carlo lightning risk assessments to determine where lightning is most likely to attach to the facility given the current lightning protection system. Categories News Publications Projects
KSC LAUNCH COMPLEX 41 SLS was tasked by the NASA Launch Services Program (LSP) to provide lightning monitoring services for Launch Complex 41 (LC-41), where the Atlas V family of vehicles are launched. NASA payloads are launched from LC-41 including the Mars rovers, and the Voyager and New Horizons spacecraft. SLS is now continuously monitoring
KSC LAUNCH COMPLEX 39A The historic Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) was recently leased to a commercial spaceflight provider from NASA. LC-39A was previously home to the Apollo moon missions and many Space Shuttle flights. LC-39A is now being renovated to support launches of commercial vehicles and eventually, human-rated vehicles. SLS was tasked to design an
KSC LAUNCH COMPLEX 39B (NASA) SLS Chief Technologist Dr. Carlos Mata was the Lead Design Engineer for the lightning protection system at NASA’s next-generation Launch Complex 39B (LC-39B) at the Kennedy Space Center. Home to quite possibly the most advanced lightning protection system ever constructed, LC-39B will host NASA’s massive Space Launch System rocket during
KSC LAUNCH COMPLEX 39A The historic Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center was recently renovated to accommodate new commercial vehicles. One of the main considerations was how well the new vehicles would be protected from lightning by the existing lightning protection system at LC-39A while on the pad. SLS performed a detailed Monte
KSC LAUNCH COMPLEX 39A SLS performed bonding and ground-resistance measurements for the two existing down-conductors for the Launch Complex 39A lightning protection system. Later, SLS was tasked to perform a 360° scan of each of the 1100 ft down-conductors to inspect the aged cables for lightning damage or broken strands. To accomplish this challenging task,
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER WIND PROFILER The multiple launch programs at the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station utilize data from the new 50MHz wind profiler to evaluate upper level winds during launch countdowns. SLS was asked to inspect and evaluate the lightning protection and grounding systems of the critical facility. A full
INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION DUST SHIELD POWER SUPPLY Many scientific instruments, satellites, and planetary landers launched from Earth encounter issues with charged dust accumulation on external surfaces. This dust accumulation may impact solar power generation, viewing optics, or mechanical systems. One method for remotely removing dust from surfaces located outside the Earth’s atmosphere is to excite
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CCAFS LAUNCH COMPLEX 46 SLS was tasked by AECOM and Space Florida to design a new lightning protection system (LPS) for the newly-renovated Launch Complex 46 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. LC-46 is being re-purposed to support up to nine different small to medium class orbital launch vehicles. SLS performed detailed 3D rolling sphere
CCAFS LAUNCH COMPLEX 46 (MINOTAUR IV) SLS was tasked by Space Florida and Orbital ATK to provide precision lightning and transient monitoring for the Minotaur IV rocket and ORS-5 payload in the weeks leading up to the launch from Launch Complex 46 (LC-46) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. SLS deployed a series of custom
