Months after an alarmist review from NASA's Office of the Inspector General, hundreds of construction workers seem out to prove their critics wrong as progress picks up steam on the Artemis program's mobile launcher 2, the platform atop which future versions of the powerful Space Launch System rocket will launch.
Current State of the Artemis Mobile Launcher 2 Project
Taking shape on a patch of concrete at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) just north of the massive Vehicle Assembly Building, ML2's steel structure is part of NASA's current battle plan to support SLS launches beginning with Artemis IV currently on schedule for late 2028.
Challenges and Progress
NASA OIG audits have warned of rising costs and growing delays for all facets of the Artemis program, and its future, including the Artemis II crewed flight planned for next year and the Artemis III moon landing in 2026, could be redefined by the direction of the incoming Trump administration.
"Our marching orders haven't changed, and we can't really speculate what the new administration is going to do," said Darrell Foster, the ML2 project executive with NASA's Exploration Ground Systems based at KSC. "We know what our priorities are right now. We know what our mission is right now, and we're staying focused on that."
Contractor and Project Status
The lead contractor for the structure is Bechtel National Inc., headquartered in Reston, Virginia. The company has worked on massive projects over the years, including the Hoover Dam and the Channel Tunnel that connects England to France. The NASA contract, though, prompts a sense of pride in its employees. David Leeth, the company's deputy project manager for ML2, highlights the importance:
"ML2 is an iconic project. It's a signature project for Bechtel. We're proud of all the projects that we have. … I've been on a lot of Bechtel projects, but this is space. This is something that's really unique, and it's right up at the top."
Financial Overview
The project was initially a $383 million contract awarded in 2019, with an original delivery date of 2023. However, a recent audit indicated that costs had already nearly tripled to over $1 billion, with the delivery date now pushed to no later than November 2026.
| Aspect | Original Estimate | Current Estimate | Delivery Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Contract Value | $383 million | $1 billion+ | 2023 |
| Updated Delivery Date | N/A | N/A | November 2026 |
Despite the increasing costs, NASA's officials remain optimistic. "That's our goal. We do have incentives in the contract, they're objective milestone-based incentives that vary with the date," Foster noted.
The Impact of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to rising costs and extended project timelines across NASA's major projects, including ML2. Foster stated the pandemic raised costs and stretched timelines significantly across all projects, but he also indicated that the cost and schedule have stabilized considerably recently.
As of now, the ML2 tower stands at 80 feet, with plans for expansion. Just a few miles away at KSC, five of the seven modular steel blocks—each 40 feet tall and weighing at least 400,000 pounds—are ready to grow it further toward its eventual 377-foot-tall height.
Workforce and Labor Collaboration
More than 300 craft workers, such as welders, ironworkers, carpenters, and electricians, are already working tirelessly on the project, with numbers expected to grow to 600 as the project reaches peak labor.
Bechtel has worked closely with labor unions to ensure adequate labor is on site, emphasizing the need for increased manpower as the project approaches its peak complexity.
"The best way to burn down cost and schedule risk is to get work done and complete work in a timely manner," Foster said, underscoring the importance of proactive labor engagement.
Engineering and Construction Milestones
The construction team has been making significant strides at various work sites. The "mod yard" allows them to conduct multiple operations concurrently, such as erecting structural steel and integrating electrical and mechanical utilities.
The first of the seven final modules will be placed before the year's end, utilizing a crane setup capable of reaching over 500 feet tall. As of now, nearly 78% of the steel for the project is already on site, with plans to have all components delivered by the end of March next year.
Future Prospects for the Artemis Program
While there are questions concerning the longevity of funding for different facets of the Artemis program, the timeline for SLS and ML2 projects remains intact for now. According to Foster, developments are continuously made to stay on track. "The moon-to-Mars exploration approach hasn't changed, and so until that does, we're going to keep marching forward."
Key Takeaways
- The Artemis program's mobile launcher 2 is progressing despite funding and timeline concerns.
- Bechtel is leading the project with a focus on timely labor engagement and project delivery milestones.
- COVID-19 has impacted timelines and costs but stabilization efforts are in place.
Conclusion
The Artemis mobile launcher 2 is pivotal for future lunar exploration. As challenges arise, both NASA and its contractors remain committed to meeting operational timelines and budgetary guidelines for successful program execution.
For More Information
To learn more about the Artemis program and the mobile launchers, please visit the following resources:
- Audit warns costs for NASA's new Artemis launcher could balloon to $2.7 billion
- NASA's tale of two towers: Both Artemis mobile launchers see action
- NASA's Artemis II moon mission rocket core stage on way to Kennedy Space Center
All information and references utilized in this article were gathered from various scientific sources as well as NASA's official documentation. This includes the detailed financial evaluations of the project as assessed by external audits, highlighting the need for ongoing diligence and oversight as the Artemis project's timeline progresses.