posted May 09, 2008 01:15 AM               

NASA Awards Contract for Ares I Mobile Launcher

NASA's Kennedy Space Center has awarded a contract to Hensel Phelps of Orlando, Fla., for the construction of the Ares I mobile launcher for the Constellation Program. Ares I is the rocket that will transport the Orion crew exploration vehicle, its crew and cargo to low Earth orbit. The contract includes an option for an additional Ares I mobile launcher. It is a firm fixed-price contract with a value of $263,735,000, if all options are exercised.

The mobile launcher will support the Ares I and the vehicle's associated ground support equipment. It will be used in the assembly, testing and servicing of the Ares I at existing Kennedy facilities. The mobile launcher will transport the Ares I rocket to the launch pad and provide ground support for launches. The mobile launcher consists of the main support structure that comprises the base, tower and facility ground support systems, which include power, communications, conditioned air, water for cooling, wash-down, and ignition over-pressure protection.

Hensel Phelps will supply all labor, materials and equipment necessary for construction of the Ares I mobile launcher. Ground support equipment, such as umbilicals, propellant and gases, instrumentation, controls and communications, necessary to support the Ares I rocket will be provided and installed under a separate contract or contracts.

The tower of the mobile launcher will have multiple platforms for personnel access and will be approximately 390 feet tall. Construction will take place at the mobile launcher park site area located north of Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly Building at the space center in Florida.

posted February 12, 2009 09:16 PM               

Trestles and girders for a new mobile launcher arrive by barge February 12 at the Launch Complex 39 area turn basin of NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

The new launcher will be lighter than space shuttle mobile launcher platforms so that the crawler-transporter can pick up the added load of the 345-foot tower and taller Ares I rocket.

When the structural portion of the new mobile launcher is complete, umbilicals, access arms, communications equipment and command and control equipment will be installed.

Photo credit: NASA

posted June 02, 2009 09:50 AM               

Construction continues behind the Vehicle Assembly Building of the new Ares I mobile launcher platform and 345-foot launch umbilical tower. Photographs taken between May 8 and May 14.

Photo credit: NASA

Photo credit: collectSPACE

posted October 18, 2009 01:36 AM               

Progress continues on the construction of a new mobile launcher for the Constellation Program with the positioning of a second section of the support tower into place on October 15.

Installation of the first section was on September 24.

The tower will have multiple platforms for personnel access and be approximately 345 feet tall.

Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

posted October 31, 2009 06:47 PM               

On October 27, a crane lowered the third section of the tower for the new mobile launcher into place atop the growing structure.

Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

posted November 13, 2009 04:46 PM               

On November 12, 2009, a crane lowered a fourth tower section onto the three sections already secured to the new mobile launcher.

Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

posted December 01, 2009 04:42 PM               

On November 30, 2009, a crane positioned the fifth tower segment onto the four segments already secured to the new mobile launcher, or ML, being constructed to support the Constellation Program.

Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

posted December 15, 2009 09:02 AM               

On December 13, 2009, the sixth tower segment was secured to the new mobile launcher.

Credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

posted December 22, 2009 11:44 AM               

On December 21, 2009, the seventh tower segment was added atop the new mobile launcher. When completed, the tower will be about 345 feet tall.

Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

posted January 13, 2010 05:30 AM               

On January 8, 2010, the eighth tower segment was added to the new mobile launcher.

Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

posted January 22, 2010 09:27 AM               

On January 19, 2010, the ninth tower segment was added.

Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

posted January 28, 2010 10:03 AM               

A steel worker signs a signature plate that will be placed on the tenth and final tower section of a new mobile launcher. The plate bears the names of the workers who helped construct the tower.

Credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

Steel workers prepare a live, potted kumquat tree for a "topping out" ceremony to take place when the tenth and final tower section of a new mobile launcher is hoisted onto the tower later this week. In ancient Scandinavian society, the placement of an evergreen tree on a building's ridge pole signaled to all who helped with its construction that the celebration of its completion would begin.

Credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

posted January 28, 2010 06:39 PM               

On Jan. 28, a crane gently lowered the tenth and final tower segment onto the new mobile launcher, completing the stacking of the 345 foot tall structure.

Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

posted January 31, 2010 09:12 AM               

More photographs of the completed 345-foot tower, including the view from the top.

Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

Credit: NASA/Jim Grossman

posted April 23, 2010 05:28 PM               

On April 23, 2010, workers supervised the lift of the third segment of the launch mount for a new mobile launcher, or ML, being constructed to support NASA's future human spaceflight program.

Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller