Tag: MAF
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SLS: MAF receiving extraordinary machinery for the exploration rocket
An array of huge machinery is being installed at the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF), as the famous New Orleans plant prepares to begin construction of the Space Launch System (SLS). The tooling – one of which is 170 feet tall – will piece together the Heavy Lift Launch Vehicles (HLV) ahead of their launches from…
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MAF undergoing major modification work ahead of SLS production
The Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) has begun its transformation back into the birth place of giant rockets that will enable the United States to return to deep space exploration. Modification work for the Space Launch System (SLS) is taking place across huge areas of the New Orleans facility, which will soon host the world’s largest…
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Dream Chaser to breathe new life into Michoud
Following this week’s announcement of a deal between Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) and Lockheed Martin, the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) will gain a much-needed boost. The facility, that once built the giant External Tanks (ETs), will soon host composite airframe fabrication for new Dream Chasers. SNC/Lockheed Martin Deal: SNC’s ongoing effort to prove they have…
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ET-94: Fate unknown for the last remaining External Tank at MAF
The last External Tank, known as ET-94, has been moved into Building 103 – known as the “thru aisle” – at the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF), with its ultimate fate hanging in the balance. The tank – which was previous in storage inside MAF’s Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) – played a key role in the…
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MAF goes Hollywood as movie teams utilize the facility’s once-busy expanses
In what is a sobering reality of the Space Shuttle Program’s end, the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) is now being filled with the sound of clapperboards, as opposed to the noise of space hardware being constructed. Numerous major movie studios are taking advantage of what are now large empty expanses inside the New Orleans facility.…
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Boeing complete SLS Pathfinder Tank as MAF ET operations end
While the political side of the Space Launch System (SLS) continues to be bogged down by delays and arguments, the engineering side of the vehicle is picking up, most notably on the core stage. With Boeing’s “Pathfinder” tank completed ahead of schedule, External Tank tooling is being unwrapped for checks, ironically as ET operations officially…
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Ares/Orion slipping up to 18 months – Shuttle extension gains upper hand
NASA’s Constellation Program (CxP) will conduct a “Content and Schedule” summit meeting in the next few months, after it was evaluated their current schedules are “broken”. The meeting will aim to protect against a slip that is estimated to be as serious as 18 months, or outright cancellation for Ares I. Meanwhile, the push for…
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STS-127: MAF praise as Endeavour’s ET-131 arrives at KSC
External Tank (ET-131) is being safely housed in the Vehicle Assembly Building (High Bay 2E), following its arrival from New Orleans this weekend. Manufactured by the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF), the team earned praise from managers and astronauts alike, following their successful fight back from schedule issues, and the phenomenal performance of ET-129. ET-131…
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Downstream shuttle planning: CLFs, AMS noted, MAF working on extra ETs
Shuttle managers have made extensive changes to their 2010 launch schedule ambitions, with the “inclusion” of STS-134 as an additional flight. Meanwhile, three additional External Tanks being worked on at the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) in pre-emption of a shuttle extension. STS-133 and STS-134: According to planning documents on L2, STS-133 will now carry a…
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MAF close out 2008 with the phenomenal performance of ET-129
Four missions, four clean tanks – that’s what the 2008 report card notes for the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF), with the last mission of the year – STS-126 with ET-129 – proving to be the best performing tank since Return To Flight (RTF). Ever since the tragedy of STS-107, the main focus on shuttle safety…