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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FLUOR POWER SERVICES SLS was tasked by Fluor Power Services to perform a detailed assessment of the lightning protection and surge protection systems at the Virginia Electric & Power Company Greensville County Power Station. SLS performed 3D rolling sphere calculations to establish lightning vulnerabilities and advanced Monte Carlo risk assessment calculations to determine the probabilities
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
CCAFS LAUNCH COMPLEX 40 SLS evaluated the integrity of the Launch Complex 40 (LC-40) lightning protection system following the vehicle anomaly in September of 2016. Ground resistance measurements for the pad lightning protection system were performed. Later, SLS performed a full suite of ground resistance and bonding measurements on both the main vehicle integration hangar
CCAFS LAUNCH COMPLEX 36 (BLUE ORIGIN) Blue Origin is a major player in the booming commercial spaceflight industry. Blue Origin recently leased Launch Complex 36, located at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, from the United States Air Force. To protect their massive New Glenn rocket from lightning, Blue Origin contracted SLS to design a brand
