SAIC Provides NASA with a One-of-a-Kind Vibro-Acoustic Research Facility Using DesignBuild Delivery
SAIC designed and constructed a new vibro-acoustic test (VTC) capability, the largest project of its kind, for National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Overview
SAIC completed comprehensive DesignBuild℠ services for NASA’s new vibro-acoustic test capability (VTC); the facility opened in October 2011. The VTC includes a mechanical vibration facility (MVF) and a reverberant acoustic test facility (RATF) supported by an integrated, high-speed data acquisition system; facility control system; and common infrastructure systems. The MVF is the largest and highest vibratory powered spacecraft test capability built to date, and the RATF provides the largest high intensity acoustic capability ever built. This new facility specifically addresses the vibration and acoustic capability that will supplement the research and test capabilities currently existing at the Space Power Facility in Sandusky, Ohio.
"This facility is the most capable test facility ever constructed,
so it needed tremendous engineering, tremendous design,
and capabilities that SAIC was able to provide in completing
the facility."
- Jim Free, Glenn Research Center
The facility is a one-of-a-kind test center with systems and containment structure designed to dissipate energy from high impulse vibration and acoustic events. The facility will be used to replicate intense shaking and extreme sound pressure associated with launch, emergency abort, and re-entry of the multi-purpose crew vehicle. The multi-purpose crew vehicle will carry astronauts to the International Space Station and back to the moon in the next decade. This project demonstrates SAIC’s ability to perform both design and construction for complex projects.
“SAIC is honored to be a part of the design and construction of this one-of-a-kind capability,” said J.T. Grumski, SAIC senior vice president and business unit general manager. “This cutting-edge facility was delivered through extensive research, development, and application of non-traditional techniques, as well as careful planning of construction methods to meet installation challenges. The SAIC and NASA team was able to push technological boundaries and achieve an unprecedented level of performance.”
DesignBuild is a service mark of Science Applications International Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.
Project Details
- Customer: NASA – Glenn Research Center
- Services Provided: Advanced Communications Systems, Architecture, DesignBuild Project Delivery, Construction, Sustainability
- Location: Cleveland
- Status: Complete
- Project Details:
- 4 main project and testing components
- Constructed within an existing room of 675,111 cubic feet
- Largest project of its kind
- 11 million pounds of concrete were placed for the reverberant acoustic test facility (RATF) chamber
- 4.3 million pounds of concrete placed for the mechanical vibration facility (MVF) walls and foundation
Quick Links
- News Release: Construction Milestone Completed at NASA Glenn's New Test Facility in Sandusky
- News Release: SAIC Completes Vibro-Acoustics Test Capability, Facility for NASA
- Customer Web Site: www.nasa.gov
Industry Rankings/Awards
- 2010 Slag Cement Association Project Award awarded via the American Concrete Institute Committee 233 at the ACI Fall 2010 Convention
- NASA Orion MPCV Program Manager’s Commendation, received by and for Dennis E. Nihiser, Ph.D.
- NASA Group Achievement Award – Space Environmental Test Re-planning (SET) Team
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