NASA demolishes historic Saturn V and space shuttle test towers at Marshall Space Flight Center

Ars Technica
Ars Technica
12h ago
NASA demolished two historic test facilities at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama that were used in Saturn V and space shuttle development and were no longer in use.
NASA demolishes historic Saturn V and space shuttle test towers at Marshall Space Flight Center
A What happened
NASA demolished the Propulsion and Structural Test Facility and the Dynamic Test Facility at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama on Saturday (Jan. 10) using coordinated implosions. NASA said the structures were no longer in use and had a $25 million backlog in needed repairs. The Propulsion and Structural Test Facility supported testing tied to the Saturn V program and later the space shuttle solid rocket motor, and the Dynamic Test Stand supported testing of a fully assembled Saturn V and the first complete space shuttle stack. NASA archived documentation in the Library of Congress, created digital models with Auburn University, and transferred physical artifacts to the US Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville.
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Key insights

  • 1

    NASA cited safety and cost as reasons for demolition: Rae Ann Meyer said the structures were not safe and that removing facilities unused for decades would save money on upkeep and make the areas safe for future use.

  • 2

    NASA framed demolition as part of modernization and infrastructure investment: Jared Isaacman said clearing outdated infrastructure would allow NASA to modernize, streamline operations, and leverage infrastructure investments signed into law by President Trump.

  • 3

    NASA took steps to preserve historical records and artifacts: Documentation was archived in the Library of Congress, digital models were created with Auburn University, and physical artifacts were transferred to the US Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville.

Takeaways

NASA removed two long-unused, historically designated test structures at Marshall Space Flight Center and preserved their records and artifacts through federal archives, digital modeling, and museum transfers.

Topics

Science & Research Space

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