The manufacturer’s overhead clean room crane was used to help lift and stack the module inside the Final Assembly and System Test (FAST) cell, which is located inside the operations and checkout facility at Kennedy Space Center.
American Crane’s 25 ton double girder clean room crane with single failure-proof hoist was utilised to lift and place Lockheed Martin’s Orion crew module atop its service module.
According to the manufacturer, the custom overhead crane was specifically designed with micro speed movements to make these critical components and also features stainless steel selflocking fasteners as well as runway conductor bars enclosed in plastic housing.
In addition, the crane features a debris shield on the lower block, which prevents any small particles from falling off the crane, and continuous kick-plates on all the walkways, capturing any dirt or debris.
Later in 2014, an uncrewed Orion will launch on a Delta IV Heavy rocket and is expected to travel 3,600 miles beyond low Earth orbit, an impressive 15 times further than the International Space Station.
That day, Orion will return to Earth at a speed of approximately 20,000 mph for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean in order help ensure the safety of the flight crew for future manned flights.
