North Alabama has a new rocket test complex its builder says will play “an essential role” in bringing more big aerospace projects to the area.
Dynetics of Huntsville formally opened the new Aerospace Structures Complex in Decatur Oct. 8 near commercial rocket company United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) huge rocket factory on the Tennessee River.
The multi-use facility will serve NASA, Department of Defense and commercial rocket company customers, the company says. It has been under construction for two years.
Dynetics Space Systems Vice President Kim Doering said the new complex will help North Alabama remain a key player in America’s growing launch market.
"NASA's exploration programs including the Space Launch System, Human Lander System and Gateway afford the Alabama space community the opportunity to make significant contributions to the establishment of a human lunar economy and to landing humans on Mars,” Doering said in a statement.
ULA is already building a new rocket in Decatur called the Vulcan Centaur to compete for future satellite launches for the Defense Department. That market is ramping up dramatically as the Pentagon plans a $63 billion National Security Space Launch program, and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville has just been awarded the mission to develop human landers for America’s return to the Moon.
The new Dynetics complex has three facilities: Test Stand 1, Test Control Center and the Hardware Integration Facility. The test stand is 100 feet tall and can lift 35 tons. The test control center allows onsite test data analysis, and the 43,000-square-foot hardware facility has its own assembly high bay.
ULA’s Vulcan Centaur qualification booster, a life-size test version of the new rocket’s booster section, was installed in Test Stand 1 for the grand opening.
“ULA’s new Vulcan Centaur launcher will provide a critical capability to support defense of our nation and to support the burgeoning small satellite market,” Doering said. “Dynetics decided to build this complex so we could contribute to these vital projects. Our new complex will play an essential role within Alabama’s aerospace landscape."