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January 6, 2025

Bechtel Lifts Next Section of New Launch Tower into Place at Kennedy Space Center

Kennedy Space Center, FL

Latest construction milestone keeps ML2 project on track for completion

Bechtel successfully lifted and placed the first tower module, Tower Module 4 (Mod 4), of the Mobile Launcher 2 (ML2) project, completing the Rig and Set process. This is the beginning of a new phase of rapid vertical installation of the remaining tower modules, which will be stacked successively on top of one another over the coming months. The tower modules will eventually increase the structure to its full height of nearly 38 stories. By using a modular approach to assembly, Bechtel and NASA are reducing risks to the project’s craft professional workers and professional staff workers by performing construction at a lower vertical elevation.

“This is a significant milestone for the Bechtel and NASA teams,” said Mike Costas, Bechtel’s General Manager of Defense and Space. “The project team hauled our first tower module six miles across Kennedy Space Center, lifted the 550,000-pound assembly over 150 feet and placed it safely on top of the tower chair. The Bechtel team is focused on delivering ML2 on schedule to ensure a safe launch of the Artemis IV crew and critical payload.”

In addition to stabilizing the rocket and spacecraft for transport to the launchpad, the tower modules will carry and connect the complex array of umbilicals and systems to provide power, data, communication, propellants, fluids, gases, sound suppression, and imagery to the rocket and Orion spacecraft before launch. The modules are outfitted with much of this infrastructure, with the remainder to be installed when the full tower is assembled.

Key highlights of the Mod 4 lift include:

Earlier this year, the NASA-Bechtel team completed the Jack and Set milestone, laying the foundation for the detailed buildout process, which the team has been driving to complete over the last seven months.

Mobile Launcher 2 will support NASA’s Artemis IV mission and beyond once the larger and more powerful Space Launch System (SLS) Block 1B rocket is used to begin delivering equipment to the Lunar Gateway. Reaching a height of 390 feet, Mobile Launcher 2 will be taller and wider than Mobile Launcher 1. This launch platform will implement a new umbilical arm for NASA’s Exploration Upper Stage, which will be used during rocket transport and launch.

Learn more about how Bechtel is building a better world and beyond at bechtel.com.

Background

About Bechtel

Bechtel is a trusted engineering, construction and project management partner to industry and government. Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers’ objectives to create a lasting positive impact. Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world’s infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place.  

Bechtel serves the Energy; Infrastructure; Manufacturing & Technology; Mining & Metals; and Nuclear, Security & Environmental markets. Our services span from initial planning and investment, through start-up and operations. www.bechtel.com

Kennedy Space Center, FL

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