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Modulift, a specialist lifting equipment manufacturer, in collaboration with PSC Crane & Rigging, played a key role in constructing National Aeronautics Space Administration’s (NASA's) new Flight Dynamics Research Facility (FDRF) in Hampton, Virginia.
This 25,000-square-foot facility at NASA’s Langley Research Center is the first major project of its kind in over 40 years, supporting missions to the Moon, Mars, Venus and Titan (Saturn’s moon).
At the heart of the facility is a 120-foot vertical wind tunnel, lifted into place by PSC Crane & Rigging using two of Modulift’s MOD 50 spreader beams in a 4-point lift configuration.
This advanced facility will enhance NASA’s ability to study airflows around aerospace vehicles, advancing technology for aeronautics, space exploration and scientific missions.
“What we’re going to do with this facility is literally change the world,” Clayton Turner, director of NASA Langley Research Centre asaid.
“The humble spirit of our researchers and this effort will allow us to reach for new heights, to reveal the unknown, for the betterment of humankind.”
The new FDRF will replace NASA’s aging 12-foot low-speed tunnel and vertical spin tunnel, in use since the late 1930s, with a significantly more capable system. The modernized facility will also lower maintenance and operational costs while enabling groundbreaking research into the dynamics of flight.
The company’s involvement highlights the essential role of innovative lifting equipment in constructing state-of-the-art facilities.
“Modulift is known for its iconic yellow spreader beams across the world and has set the precedent for safety, efficiency and fast delivery in the global lifting industry,” Sarah Spivey, managing director of Modulift said.
“We are very proud to be part of this groundbreaking project.”
As NASA and its industry partners push the boundaries of space exploration and technology, Modulift’s contributions showcase the importance of precision engineering and dependable lifting solutions in making these pioneering advancements possible.
