NASA and NCAM
Transitioning from the Launch Vehicles of Today to the Launch Vehicles of Tomorrow

Images right: Space Shuttle Atlantis in September 2006 (Image Credit: Kennedy Space Center) and a concept image of the new Crew Launch Vehicle Ares I shortly after launch (Image Credit: Marshall Space Flight Center).

Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF)     
NCAM-LP is located on the 832-acre NASA Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) in eastern New Orleans. MAF has a long history in the manufacture and delivery of large space structures; it features one of the world's largest manufacturing plants and a port with deepwater access for the transportation of large space structures. Large-scale hardware development, manufacturing education and training occur at Michoud Assembly Facility.

External Tank     
Michoud Operations designs, assembles and tests External Tanks for NASA's Space Shuttle Program. The External Tank is the largest single component of the Space Shuttle system.

Image left: An external tank at MAF in New Orleans. Image Credit: LMSSC.

Michoud Operations also plays a leading role in the development of experimental space vehicles and related projects. Michoud Operations, a NASA facility, reports to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center.

Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC)     
NCAM-LP is under contract to NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Alabama for material and process development technology to support NASA goals. The Materials and Processes Laboratory serves as an integral part of the Engineering Directorate at MSFC by providing science, technology, and engineering support in materials, processes, and products to be used in space vehicle applications.

The Marshall Space Flight Center manages all Space Shuttle propulsion elements, including the Main Engine, External Tank and Solid Rocket Boosters.

The Marshall Center provides support to all of NASA's enterprises, and is one of NASA's largest and most diversified installations. MSFC develops key space transportation and propulsion technologies; leads the Lunar Precursor and Robotic Program effort that will pave the way back to the moon; manages space shuttle propulsion elements and science aboard the International Space Station; and pursues scientific breakthroughs in space that will improve life on Earth.

Image above: Astronaut Jeffrey N. Williams, Expedition 13 NASA space station science officer and flight engineer during a spacewalk on August 3, 2006. Image Credit: NASA.

Mission: Constellation — NASA's Future     
The Shuttle, first launched in 1981, has the primary role of completing the assembly of the International Space Station (ISS). The Shuttle is scheduled to be phased out by 2010, following the completion of its role in the ISS assembly.

Image left: Concept image of an Orion Crew Vehicle in lunar orbit. Image credit: Lockheed Martin Corp.

A new generation of space transportation systems is already underway. Future astronauts will ride into space in the Orion capsule. Orion will succeed the space shuttle as NASA's primary vehicle for human space exploration. Orion's first flight with astronauts onboard is planned for no later than 2014 to the International Space Station. Its first flight to the moon is planned for no later than 2020.

Image right: Concept image of Ares V and Ares I. Image Credit: NASA.

NASA's Ares rockets, named for the Greek god associated with Mars, will return humans to the moon and later take them to Mars and other destinations. Orion is the primary payload of the Ares I rocket. The Crew Launch Vehicle, the Ares I, will be the new flagship of America's spacefleet. The larger of the two systems is the Cargo Launch Vehicle, the Ares V. This heavy lift system will carry equipment and supplies needed for trips to the moon as the first step towards much longer journeys to Mars.

Marshall Space Flight Center manages NASA's Exploration Launch Projects, including the Ares I and the Ares V.

And NCAM-LP is part of Marshall Space Flight Center's world-class advanced manufacturing facilities addressing and supporting NASA's needs today and tomorrow.