Report: Kennedy Space Center not ready for era of super heavy rockets
Summary
A report from NASA’s Office of Inspector General finds that the Kennedy Space Center’s launch facilities are getting old and may not handle the growing demand from companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin. Key systems such as roads, gas supplies, and electricity are strained, and more investment is needed to support future launches of large rockets like Starship and New Glenn.Key Facts
- NASA’s Kennedy Space Center launch infrastructure is aging and may not meet increasing demand from both NASA and private companies.
- The space center has only a few launch pads, including 39A (leased to SpaceX) and 39B (used for NASA’s Space Launch System).
- Cape Canaveral Space Force Station nearby has more launch pads, some leased to Blue Origin for the New Glenn rocket.
- Shared supply lines for helium and nitrogen and a 60-year-old electricity system are under pressure from increased launch activity.
- The nitrogen supply system cannot fully support simultaneous launches of Blue Origin’s New Glenn and United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur rockets.
- There have been problems obtaining enough gaseous nitrogen during launch campaigns, including Artemis I in 2022.
- NASA plans a $25 million project to build a new nitrogen system, but it currently lacks funding.
- Launch frequency is expected to increase so much by 2028-2029 that it could strain Kennedy’s facilities, with SpaceX aiming to launch Starship every eight days.
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