Our team is attending Space Symposium

April 17 – 20, 2023 | Colorado Springs, CO

Through our long history and depth of experience in planning and designing ground systems for numerous federal and commercial launch providers, we have a team of veteran engineers with the necessary data and knowledge to help our clients succeed in the competitive and constantly advancing aerospace industry.

Come Meet Our Team at Booth Number 100

Josh Saltsman.

Josh Saltsman
Vice President
Aerospace and Equipment Leader

More about Josh
Andrew Nelson headshot.

Andrew Nelson
Vice President
Aerospace

More about Andrew
Alice Schultz.

Alice Schultz
Design Studio Lead
Aerospace

More about Alice
David Schleeper headshot.

David Schleeper
Mechanical Engineer
Launch and Facilities Equipment

More about David
Daniel Vigeant headshot.

Daniel Vigeant
Electrical Engineer
Aerospace and Equipment

More about Daniel
Victoria Mechtly.

Victoria Mechtly
Market Leader
Aerospace and Federal

More about Victoria

Session Information

Investing in Space: Establish a Robust and Commercially Relevant Space Economy
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
4:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Moderator: Andrew Nelson, RS&H

Panelists:

  • Mark Boggett, Seraphim
  • Pete Cannito, Redwire
  • Rob Meyerson, Delalune Space
  • Dr. Laurence Vigeant-Langlois, AE Industrial Partners

Track: Symposium Program
https://www.spacesymposium.org/speaker/andrew-nelson/

RS&H and NASA’s Artemis Program

Since the 1960s, RS&H’s designs for piloted and unpiloted orbital and suborbital space launch facilities, processing buildings and ground support equipment have been instrumental in the advancement of space exploration and technology. RS&H is proud of our long history working with NASA and the support we provided for the Artemis Program.

RS&H designed modifications to the system for the Space Launch System (SLS) Mobile Launcher (ML) and Launch Complex 39B, all used by NASA for the Artemis Program.

What is NASA’s Artemis Program? 

NASA’s goal with the Artemis Program is to return astronauts to the moon and establish a presence there by 2024. This important mission is pivotal in helping pave the way for sending humans to Mars.

Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB)

Our team also worked to develop an internal climate control system to keep everything at the right temperature and dry. The Artemis’ VAB has weather control system to keep it from raining inside the building.

Vehicle assembly building

Preparing for the Artemis Launch

For more than 60 years, RS&H has supported NASA’s operations through our infrastructure and architecture services. This includes everything but the actual rocket. A successful launch requires a lot of moving parts. That’s why NASA relies on support from consultants and contractors to ensure that launch programs remain safe and successful.

The Purpose of the Lightning Tower

To protect the rocket on the pad from lightning strikes, the lightning towers are installed as protection systems at NASA’s SLS. The new lightning protection system installed for 39B was recently tested in April 2022 when a lightning strike occurred at 39B launch pad. These towers attract the lightning strikes away from the rocket and transfers the lightning’s energy through wires to the ground. At nearly 600 feet, the taller towers are positioned to provide protection at the launch pad. The height of the towers is a function of the height of the mobile launcher and the SLS rocket when at the pad. RS&H designed Lightning Protection System at Pad 39B.

lightning strike
lightning tower

Preparing for the Artemis Launch

For more than 60 years, RS&H has supported NASA’s operations through our infrastructure and architecture services. This includes everything but the actual rocket. A successful launch requires a lot of moving parts. That’s why NASA relies on support from consultants and contractors to ensure that launch programs remain safe and successful.

lightning strike

The Purpose of the Lightning Tower

To protect the rocket on the pad from lightning strikes, the lightning towers are installed as protection systems at NASA’s SLS. The new lightning protection system installed for 39B was recently tested in April 2022 when a lightning strike occurred at 39B launch pad. These towers attract the lightning strikes away from the rocket and transfers the lightning’s energy through wires to the ground. At nearly 600 feet, the taller towers are positioned to provide protection at the launch pad. The height of the towers is a function of the height of the mobile launcher and the SLS rocket when at the pad. RS&H designed Lightning Protection System at Pad 39B.

water deluge system

The Purpose of the Water Deluge System

The water deluge system is an important element of a successful launch and is comprised of the ignition overpressure system and the sound suppression system.

Fun Fact: The concept for the Rainbirds was designed and implemented by one of our engineers who was watering in his yard with his thumb partially over the end of the hose. The Rainbirds have a plate at the top which constricts and deflects the water flow.

Learn More >

Headshots of RS&H associates who worked on the Artemis project.

Get to Know RS&H

Serving Aerospace Clients
Through our long history and depth of experience in planning and designing ground systems for numerous federal and commercial launch providers, we have developed a team of veteran engineers with the necessary data and knowledge to help our clients succeed in the competitive and constantly advancing aerospace industry.

Read more

Get in Touch

Let’s work together to make great things possible.

Note: All imagery shown is in accordance with NASA’s usage guidelines and can be found on Flickr in the albums Launch Complex 39B and Artemis I.