NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida is one power step closer to processing the agency’s Space Launch System (SLS), the most powerful rocket in the world, for its first flight, Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1), and NASA’s journey to Mars. During a preliminary test April 28, the two J-level work platforms installed on the north and south sides of Vehicle Assembly Building High Bay 3, where the SLS will be prepared for launch, were successfully activated to test their functionality and simulate how they will surround the massive rocket on the mobile launcher.
Mike Bolger, Ground Systems Development and Operations Program (GSDO) manager, stood on the walkway on the 16th floor, above the J-level platforms, as construction contractor Hensel Phelps operated the controls and began the test.
“It was an amazing sight to look down and watch as the platform smoothly extended out into the open air of High Bay 3,” Bolger said. “As each half of the J platforms slowly extended, I couldn’t help but think forward to the day when the SLS core stage and boosters will fill the void between the platform halves.”
One of the J-level work platforms is powered on and extended in the Vehicle Assembly Building.
The J-level work platforms are just one of 10 levels of platforms that will surround the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft in the high bay. The platforms will extend and retract and will have the capability to be adjusted up or down as required to give engineers and technicians access to various areas of the giant rocket, twin solid rocket boosters, Orion and its launch abort system during processing and testing.
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