Space Systems Processing Facility

File:SSPF under construction in 1991.jpg

During the re-designing phase of Space Station Freedom in early 1991, Congress approved new plans for NASA to lead the project and begin manufacturing its components for the future International Space Station. Kennedy Space Center was selected as the ideal launch processing complex for the ISS, as well as hosting all the internationally manufactured modules and station elements.

However the Operations and Checkout Building (which was originally to be the prime factory for station launch processing) was insufficient in size to accommodate all the components. On March 26, 1991, engineers at Kennedy Space Center; along with contractor Metric Constructions Inc. of Tampa Florida, broke ground on a new $56 million Space Station Processing Facility, situated adjacent to the O&C. The design called for a 457,000-square-foot multifunction building housing an enormous processing bay, laboratories, control rooms, staging areas, communications and control facilities, and office space for some 1,400 NASA and contractor employees.{{Cite web|url=https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=46509.240|title=Discovery STS-39 – Sky Ballet|website=forum.nasaspaceflight.com}}

KSC Deputy Director Gene Thomas described the construction: "The skyline around here is really going to change. This will be the biggest facility that we have built since the Apollo days". The SSPF used reinforced concrete and some 4,300 tons of steel. The building was structurally completed and topped out by mid 1992.

After three years of construction, interior fitting and equipment set-up, the SSPF formally opened on June 23, 1994.

Into the 21st century, more commercial partners began using the SSPF for projects unrelated to the ISS. In addition, after the announcement of discontinuing ISS operations beyond 2030 (leading to its planned de-orbit in 2031), the SSPF increasingly became a space for general space systems rather than specifically tailoring to the ISS. Due to these reasons, in December 2023, the facility was renamed from the Space Station Processing Facility to the Space Systems Processing Facility, keeping the same acronym.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-14 |title=NASA Facility Builds on Space Station Legacy at Kennedy - NASA |url=https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/kennedy/nasa-facility-builds-on-space-station-legacy-at-kennedy/ |access-date=2024-07-08 |language=en-US}}

File:ISS-RapidScat in the Space Station Processing Facility (KSC-2014-2976).jpg

File:STS-129 ExPRESS Logistics Carrier 14.jpg

File:STS-133 PMM Leonardo.jpg in its workstand, while visitors observe the area from the observation windows]]

At the SSPF, space station modules, trusses and solar arrays are prepped and made ready for launch. The low and high bays are fully air conditioned and ambient temperature is maintained at {{convert|12|°C|°F|0}} at all times. Workers and engineers wear full non-contaminant clothing while working. Modules receive cleaning and polishing, and some areas are temporarily disassembled for the installation of cables, electrical systems and plumbing. In another area, shipments of spare materials are available for installation. International Standard Payload Rack frames are assembled and welded together, allowing the installation of instruments, machines and allowing science experiment boxes to be fitted. Once racks are fully assembled, they are hoisted by a special manually operated robotic crane and carefully maneuvered into place inside the space station modules. Each rack weighs from 700 to 1,100 kg, and connect inside the module on special mounts with screws and latches.{{cite book|last1=Holder |first1=L. |last2=de Jong |first2=M.|title=SAE Technical Paper Series |chapter=International Standard Payload Rack Interface and Systems Requirements|date=1992|volume=1 |doi=10.4271/921263 |chapter-url=https://doi.org/10.4271/921263|access-date=December 21, 2022}}

Cargo bags for MPLM modules are filled with their cargo such as food packages, science experiments and other miscellaneous items on-site in the SSPF, and loaded into the module by the same robotic crane and strapped in securely.

Many of the builders accompanied their modules from around the world during their manufacturing, and worked at KSC for months to years during final assembly. Many ISS modules were renamed after successfully launching.

Regarding the launch of modules of the International Space Station (ISS), there had been philosophical differences for years between designers and payload processors whether to ship-and-shoot or perform integration testing prior to launch. The former involved building a station module and launching it without ever physically testing it with other modules. The integration testing was not originally in the ISS plan, but in 1995 Johnson Space Center designers began to consider it and embedding KSC personnel at module factories. Multi-Element Integration Testing (MEIT) of ISS modules at KSC was officially in the books in 1997.{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/historyofkennedy00lipa |title='A History of the Kennedy Space Center |last1=Lipartito |first1=Kenneth |last2=Butler |first2=Orville |date=2007 |publisher=University Press of Florida |isbn=978-0-8130-3069-2 |url-access=registration}}{{Cite web |url=http://llis.nasa.gov/lesson/1105 |title=International Space Station Program/Hardware/Multi-Element Integration Testing (MEIT) |date=1999-02-01 |website=Lessons Learned |publisher=NASA |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305041541/http://llis.nasa.gov/lesson/1105 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |access-date=6 November 2015}}{{Cite web |url=http://llis.nasa.gov/lesson/1014 |title=International Space Station (ISS) Program/Ground Processing Schedule/Test and Verification |date=1997-02-01 |website=Lessons Learned |publisher=NASA |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305194636/http://llis.nasa.gov/lesson/1014 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |access-date=6 November 2015}}

Three MEIT and one Integration Systems Test (IST) tests were conducted for the ISS, taking about three years from planning to completion and closure:{{Cite web |url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20130012449.pdf |title=STRATEGIES FOR GROUND BASED TESTING OF MANNED LUNAR SURFACE SYSTEMS |last=Beyer |first=Jeff |date=October 2009 |website=NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) |publisher=NASA |access-date=6 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227073917/https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20130012449.pdf |archive-date=27 February 2017 |url-status=live }}

• MEIT1: US Lab, Z1 truss, P6 truss, and a Node 1 emulator
• Planning began in 1997, Testing began January 1999
• MEIT2: S0 truss/Mobile Transporter/Mobile Base System, S1 truss, P1 truss, P3 truss, P4 truss, and a US Lab emulator.
• MEIT3: Japanese Experiment Module, Node 2, and the US Lab emulator
• Completed in 2007
• Node2 IST: Node 2 and US Lab and Node 1 emulators, as part of the ISS Flight Emulator

After the launch of the Destiny, an emulator was built for MEIT testing, since the lab controlled many other modules. Among the items checked were mechanical connections, the ability to flow power and fluids between modules, and the flight software.

Numerous issues were found and rectified from these on the ground tests, many of which could not have been fixed in orbit.

{{multiple image

| align = right

| total_width = 340

| image1 = Cygnus_CRS_OA-7_in_Kennedy_SSPF_(KSC-20170214-PH_JBS01_0198).jpg

| caption1 = A Cygnus spacecraft being moved by overhead cranes to another work area in the high bay. Note the ceiling height in comparison to the engineers.

| image2 = STS-134_ExPRESS_Logistics_Carrier_3_a.jpg

| caption2 = ExPRESS Logistics Carrier no.3 for STS-134

}}

File:SAGE III at Space Station Processing Facility (23390877722).jpg

File:ISS s3-s4 truss hoist in the SSPF factory.jpg

The SSPF's High Bays provide maximum flexibility for manufacturing, assembly, testing and processing payloads and elements destined for space. The bays are enormous cleanrooms equipped with overhead cranes, commodities-servicing equipment and a secure backup-power supply. The facility also has 15 offline labs.{{cite web|url=https://spaceref.com/status-report/notice-of-availability-for-information-seeking-potential-industry-interest-and-uses-for-some-nasa-kennedy-space-center-facilities/ |title=Notice of Availability for Information Seeking Potential Industry Interest and Uses for Some NASA Kennedy Space Center Facilities|date=January 24, 2011|publisher=SpaceRef.com|access-date=December 21, 2022}}

• Dimensions: {{cvt|338|ft}} in length, by {{cvt|50|ft}} in width
• Ceiling height {{cvt|30|ft}}
• 100,000-class clean work area

• Dimensions {{cvt|472|ft}} in length, by {{cvt|121|ft}} in Width
• Ceiling height {{cvt|69|ft}}
• Can be separated into eight different processing areas

• I-bay: Two {{cvt|5,000|kg}} capacity
• High Bay: Two {{cvt|30,000|kg}} capacity

• Ammonia servicing machines
• Compressed air supply (125 psi)
• Potable water pipes

• 480 V 3-phase power at 60 Hz
• Uninterruptible power supply (450 kVA)

• 9 independently operated control rooms
• 15 labs, 2 chemical labs, and 2 darkrooms
• 1 Certified offline lab for planetary protection processing (Class-100 clean work area)
• 3 ISS Environmental Simulator (ISSES) Chambers, can be used to expose ISS life science ground controls to ISS environmental conditions (i.e., temperature, humidity).
• Experiment Monitoring Area (EMA), used to monitor ISS life science experiments

Office floor area: {{cvt|140,000|ft2}} of office/work space

File:NASA SSPF factory panorama.jpg

{{As of|2023|June|24}}:{{cn|date=June 2023}}

• Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules Raffaello and Donatello.
• Two Lightweight Multi-Purpose Equipment Support Structure Carriers (LMCs).
• Lunar Gateway habitat module, built by Lockheed Martin - used as a training rig.{{Cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/lockheedmartin/47387520451/|title=NextSTEP Lunar Habitat|date=March 5, 2019|via=Flickr}}
• Dream Chaser 'mini space shuttle' - designed and manufactured by Sierra Nevada Corporation.
• Machinery for experiments in the Lunar Gateway{{cite web|url=https://images.nasa.gov/details-KSC-20210713-PH-KLS01_0057 |title=MSolo Testing|date=July 13, 2021|publisher=NASA|access-date=December 21, 2022}}
• Bigelow Aerospace inflatable habitat mockup

When the lights in the building are on, most of these components can be seen on the live webcam from the facility.{{Cite web |url=http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/payload/missions/station/sspf-video.html |title=Space Station Processing Facility - KSC Video Feeds |last=NASA |access-date=2007-02-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208055321/http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/payload/missions/station/sspf-video.html |archive-date=2007-02-08 |url-status=live }}

File:Workers make LunaH-Map cube sat in SSPF.jpg in the SSPF, July 2021.]]

After the completion of the International Space Station in 2011, the SSPF factory was dormant for several months until early 2012, where the building was slightly refurbished for the moving in of space companies (such as Orbital ATK, SpaceX and eventually Sierra Nevada Corporation) to manufacture, process and load-up Cygnus and Dragon spacecraft{{cite web|url=https://images.nasa.gov/details-KSC-20200130-PH-JBS01_0035 |title=Bartolomeo Unboxing for SpaceX CRS-20|date=January 30, 2020|publisher=NASA|access-date=December 21, 2022}} and on-board payloads, as part of the Commercial Resupply Services program. NASA's upcoming Artemis mission hardware such as Moon and Mars space station modules and Space Launch System core stage engine sections,{{cite web | last=Cawley | first=James | title=Artemis III Core Stage Engine Section Arrives at Kennedy | website=NASA | date=December 19, 2022 | url=http://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/artemis-iii-core-stage-engine-section-arrives-at-kennedy | access-date=June 24, 2023}}{{cite web | last=Foust | first=Jeff | title=NASA and Boeing change SLS core stage assembly process | website=SpaceNews | date=December 7, 2022 | url=https://spacenews.com/nasa-and-boeing-change-sls-core-stage-assembly-process/ | access-date=June 24, 2023}} as well as the Dream Chaser mini-space shuttle,{{cite web|url=https://images.nasa.gov/details-KSC-20200603-PH-KLS01_0055 |title=SNC Pressure Test Article Arrival|date=June 3, 2020|publisher=NASA|access-date=December 21, 2022}} have begun manufacturing and processing operations in the high bay {{as of|2022|December|lc=y}}.{{cite web|url=https://images.nasa.gov/details-KSC-20190516-PH_KLS01_0062 |title=SSPF - 25 Year Anniversary Then & Now Pic1|date=May 16, 2019|publisher=NASA|access-date=December 21, 2022}}

The building itself is open to the public and tours are offered free of charge by the employees.{{Cite web|url=https://foursquare.com/v/nasa-ksc-space-station-processing-facility-sspf/4b575628f964a5202f3228e3|title=NASA KSC Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF)|website=Foursquare}} Exclusive tours of many areas of the SSPF are part of the Kennedy visitor complex's enhanced bus tour package.{{Cite web |title=Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour |url=https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/explore-attractions/behind-the-gates/kennedy-space-center-explore-tour |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=www.kennedyspacecenter.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://cscmp.org/store/events/registration.aspx?event=CFL190924|title = Event Registration - NASA Gateway Logistics Element Tour}}{{cite web |url=https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/explore-attractions/behind-the-gates/kennedy-space-center-explore-tour |title=Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour |website=www.kennedyspacecenter.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170617040635/https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/explore-attractions/behind-the-gates/kennedy-space-center-explore-tour |archive-date=2017-06-17}}

In 2016, the laboratories of the SSPF were utilized by many small science companies and student unions with scientific equipment to study the feasibility of growing vegetables in space, such as the Veggie plant growth system, and the Advanced Plant Habitat; to launch as scientific payloads to the International Space Station.{{cite web|url=https://images.nasa.gov/details-KSC-20190516-PH_KLS01_0013 |title=SSPF - 25 Year Anniversary Then & Now Pic2|date=May 16, 2019|publisher=NASA|access-date=December 21, 2022}}

File:Main Ballroom of the NASA Space Station Processing Facility.jpg

When the high bay area is less busy at times, a variety of events and conferences are held in various places within the SSPF building. Occasional STEM exhibitions take place where visitors (from children and teenagers to university students){{cite web|url=https://images.nasa.gov/details-KSC-20160302-PH-CSH01_0092 |title=My Brother's Keeper National Lab Week|date=March 2, 2016|publisher=NASA|access-date=December 21, 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://images.nasa.gov/details-KSC-2014-3541 |title=Zero Robotics Finals at KSC (image)|publisher=NASA|date=August 15, 2014|access-date=December 22, 2022}} can visit the SSPF and its ballroom to learn about the building's history,{{cite web|url=https://images.nasa.gov/details-KSC-20161102-PH_KLS01_0042|title=Innovation Expo with Bob Cabana Pic1|publisher=NASA|date=November 2, 2016|access-date=December 29, 2022}} manufacturing acitivies, biological and chemical sciences, and the future vision of space operations at Kennedy Space Center, including the Lunar Gateway mockup module.{{cite web|url=https://images.nasa.gov/details-KSC-20161102-PH_KLS01_0176 |title=Innovation Expo with Bob Cabana Pic2|publisher=NASA|date=November 2, 2016|access-date=December 29, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://images.nasa.gov/details-KSC-20190918-PH_CSH01_0038|title=Langston University Faculty/Student Group Tour|publisher=NASA|access-date=December 29, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://images.nasa.gov/details-KSC-20190325-PH_KLS01_0144 |title=NextSTEP Hab Testing with Astronauts|date=March 25, 2019|access-date=December 21, 2022|publisher=NASA}} The ballroom also doubles as a lecture hall for presentations.{{cite web|url=https://images.nasa.gov/details-KSC-20190312-PH_KLS01_0038 |title=Insight Employee Event|date=March 12, 2019|publisher=NASA|access-date=December 21, 2022}} On rare occasions the high bay was once used for the National Space Council's second revived meeting on February 21, 2018.

Tenants including Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and Airbus have also moved facilities into the SSPF.{{cite web|url=https://images.nasa.gov/details-KSC-20200130-PH-JBS01_0005 |title=Bartolomeo Unboxing for SpaceX CRS-20 |publisher=NASA|date=January 30, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://images.nasa.gov/details-KSC-20190920-PH-KLS01_0013 |title=Sierra Nevada Open House at SSPF |publisher=NASA|date=September 20, 2019|access-date=December 21, 2022}}

File:SSPF_exterior.jpg|The exterior of the SSPF viewed from NASA Parkway

File:Space Station Processing Facility aerial view.jpg|Aerial view of the SSPF in 1995

File:ISS space station modules in the SSPF.jpg|International Space Station modules being manufactured in the SSPF main workshop area

File:SSPF_entrance.jpg|The main entrance to the facility

File:MPLM_inside_the_SSPF.jpg|An MPLM being hoisted by overhead cranes

File:ISS columbus in SSPF.jpg|Columbus being moved to a weighing stand before loading in transfer container

File:Huge overhead cranes hoist JEM in the SSPF.jpg|The JEM being hoisted to a manufacturing workstand

File:Columbus at Kennedy Space Center.jpg|European Space Agency Columbus Module

File:ISS Kibo module 08-27-2003.jpg|The main Kibo module in its manufacturing workstand, c. 2003

File:Kibo ELM-PS move to payload canniste.jpg|Kibo JLP module transfer to the payload transfer container

File:Node 3 in SSPF.JPG|Tranquility in the SSPF.

File:Japanese Experiment Module and its robotic arm in gold light in the SSPF.jpg|A worker assembles parts for the Japanese Experiment Module remote manipulator arm, under gold light

File:LOP-G_module_training_mock-up_module_group_photo.jpg|NASA and Lockheed Martin employees group photo with the Lunar Gateway module training mock-up inside the SSPF

File:LOP-G interior with Astronauts.jpg|Inside the Lunar Gateway mock-up module, with four astronauts.

File:ISS-RapidScat arrives at Kennedy Space Center (KSC-2014-2504).jpg|Loading yard

File:Cygnus CRS OA-7 in Kennedy SSPF (KSC-20170212-PH SWW01 0112).jpg|Orbital ATK Cygnus CRS-0A-7

File:Cygnus CRS OA-7 in Kennedy SSPF (KSC-20170207-PH SWW01 0096).jpg|ISS Cargo bags

File:Space_Station_Processing_Facility,_Kennedy_Space_Center,_Florida,_USA2.jpg|SSPF lobby

File:SSPF factory floor view with modules.jpg|Overview of the high bay factory floor filled with space station modules

File:Kennedy_Space_Center_64.JPG|A view of an empty workstand from the high bay observation windows

File:SSPF_lobby_Sep_2019.jpg|The main visitor entrance lobby to the SSPF in September 2019. Note the signage displays 'International' in addition to the building's name, but is not official.

File:Bishop Airlock Module.jpg|The Bishop Airlock Module being made by Nanoracks in the high bay, October 7, 2020.

File:National Space Council meeting at the John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida, Feb. 20, 2018 180221-D-SW162-1251 (39511228625).jpg|7th National Space Council meeting in the high bay, with temporary desk platforms, Feb 21, 2018

File:CRS-21_Science_Experiments_Unpacking_04.jpg|Scientists and students working on SpaceX CRS-21 returned science experiments in the SSPF lab workshop, January 2021

File:ISS roll out solar array in the SSPF.jpg|ISS roll out solar array being made in the SSPF high bay, 2 April 2021

{{Commons category}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Kennedy Space Center}}

Category:Kennedy Space Center

Category:Buildings and structures in Merritt Island, Florida

Category:Manufacturing plants

Category:Manufacturing buildings and structures

Category:Manufacturing plants in the United States

Category:Manufacturing

Category:International Space Station

Category:Components of the International Space Station