Marshall Space Flight Center

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Aerial view of the test area at Marshall Space Flight Center
Aerial view of the test area at Marshall Space Flight Center

The George C. Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), the original home of NASA, is a lead center for propulsion, Space Shuttle propulsion, Shuttle external fuel tank, crew training and payloads, International Space Station (ISS) design and construction, for computers, networks, and information management. Located on the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, MSFC is named in honor of General George Marshall.

The center also contains the Huntsville Operations Support Center (HOSC) that is a facility that supports Space Shuttle launch, payload and experiment activities at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, ISS launch and experiment operations. The HOSC also monitors rocket launches from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station when a Marshall Center payload is on board.

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[edit] History

Ceremony of transfer from Army to NASA July 1, 1960
Ceremony of transfer from Army to NASA July 1, 1960

MSFC arose from the US Army Ballistic Missile Agency (ABMA) and the Army Ordnance Missile Command (AOMC) centered at Redstone Arsenal. Initially assigned to Fort Bliss, TX, the Von Braun team was later transferred to Redstone Arsenal. The transition from military to civilian space exploration came when President Dwight D. Eisenhower announced on site the formation of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on July 1, 1960. At this time Marshall also received its name and a bronze bust of the general from the President. The center became the civilian base for Dr. Wernher von Braun, his team of German rocket scientists and a large host of military and civilian contractors.

[edit] Historical Projects

  • Hermes, an early U.S. adaptation of the German V-2,
  • Juno I, used to launch the Explorer I satellite,
  • Redstone rocket,
  • ABMA/AOMC to NASA transition vehicle used in the ballistic missile program
  • Mercury space program,
  • Juno,
  • Atlas, with the US Air Force used in the ballistic missile program and the Mercury
  • Gemini space program,
  • Titan, also used for Gemini,
  • Saturn series (I-V), used in the Apollo and Skylab programs.

Many vestiges of the early programs are still visible around the center, including engine test stands, several of which are shown in the above photo.

[edit] Present and Future Projects

Modern boosters include the Space Shuttle liquid and solid propellant engines and the Delta series, used in satellite and Mars mission launches.

Starting in 2006, MSFC's Exploration Launch Projects Office began work on the new Project Constellation mission vehicles (Ares I, Ares V and Orion) which will replace the aging Shuttle fleet as well as transport humans to the Moon, Mars and other future destinations. MSFC is responsible for design and development and testing of the Ares I crew and Ares V cargo launch vehicles while Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX has overall responsibility for development. In addition, the MSFC Lunar Precursor and Robotic Program office will manage projects and direct studies on lunar robotic precursor activities across NASA. The Lunar Lander Project Office originally planned to be established at Marshall, has been appointed for development at JSC. This office will be responsible for performing early trade studies and developing requirements for the Lunar Surface Access Module (now the Lunar Lander), the capsule that will transport crew members to and from the surface of the moon.

[edit] Projects and Project Offices

  • Space Shuttle Propulsion -- Space Shuttle Propulsion Office
  • International Space Station Support -- Payload Operations Center
  • Launch Vehicle Development -- Exploration Launch Projects Office
  • Advanced Propulsion -- The Propulsion Research Laboratory
  • Exploring the Solar System -- Exploration Launch Projects Office
    • Constellation Program Office
    • Lunar Precursor and Robotic Program
    • Discovery and New Frontiers Program Office
  • National Space Science and Technology Center
  • Optics and Exploration Technology -- Space Optics Manufacturing Technology Center
    • Instrument and Payload Systems Department
    • The Spacecraft and Vehicle Systems Department
    • The Propulsion Systems Department
    • Materials and Processes Laboratory
    • Test Laboratory
    • Mission Operations Laboratory
  • Continuing Scientific Research and Discovery
  • Engineering the Future -- Engineering Directorate

[edit] A Sample of Projects

[edit] Directors

[edit] External links

[edit] See also


v • d • e
NASA's George C. Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, Alabama)
Directors:
Projects:
Other:
v • d • e
North Alabama, United States Landmarks
Huntsville Area
Decatur Area
Florence Area
v • d • e
NASA Facilities

Coordinates: 34°42′40″N 86°39′13″W / 34.71111, -86.65361