I-STIR

3 photos · 2018

3 photographs tagged I-STIR, 2018.

Related: Artemis Louisiana Nasa NASA Michoud Assembly Facility SLS Space
NASA tooling 3
The Vertical Weld Center (VWC) at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility, which is producing components for the Space Launch System (SLS) and Artemis rockets. Shown here is the tool used to do the barrel fabrication. From NASA: The Barrel Fabrication process consists of the sequential trimming and welding of Barrel Panels on the Vertical Weld Center (VWC) to form a 8.4-meter barrel. Post-weld non-destructive evaluation is also performed while the Barrel is positioned on the VWC. Barrels will be fabricated for the LH2 Tank, LO2 Tank, Forward Skirt, and Engine Section and transported to Building 110 for weld operations on the Vertical Assembly Center. NASA says there are 40 different Barrel Panel configurations with various thicknesses and heights and the 32 barrels to be fabricated each weight between 6,600 to 9,500 pounds.

Vertical Weld Center, NASA Michoud

Boeing Dome Section on ISTIR Welder NASA Michoud
At NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, Louisiana, Boeing engineers operate a PAR Systems I-STIR Friction-Stir Welder. This specialized equipment is used to join massive aluminum dome sections, which are critical components for next-generation aerospace vehicles such as the Space Launch System (SLS) for the Artemis program. The friction-stir welding process forges metal under intense pressure and heat without melting it, producing welds with exceptional structural integrity for rocket fuel tanks and spacecraft pressure vessels. Michoud has a significant history in spaceflight hardware production, having previously manufactured components for the Saturn V rockets and Space Shuttle external tanks. The facility continues its role as a key national center for large-scale precision manufacturing and assembly of spaceflight hardware, supporting ongoing deep space exploration.

Futuramic Gore Weld Tool

Friction Stir Dome Assembly at NASA Michoud
At NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, Louisiana, a large aluminum dome section for the Space Launch System (SLS) undergoes friction-stir welding. This advanced technique, performed by a PAR Systems I-Stir Friction Welder, joins thick aerospace materials by using frictional heat and mechanical pressure to create strong, defect-free joints without melting the metal. Boeing engineers utilize this precision process for critical rocket and space vehicle components, supporting the Artemis program's deep space exploration missions. The Michoud facility has a long history of large-scale fabrication for space programs, including the Saturn V and Space Shuttle, continuing its legacy as a vital center for American spaceflight infrastructure.

Boeing SLS Dome Friction-Stir Welding at NASA Michoud

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