NASA selected MTS Systems Corporation, Eden Prairie, Minn., to support the agency’s Crew Launch Vehicle Program. The maximum value of the firm, fixed price contract is approximately $9 million; the maximum period of performance is 25 months. The contract effort includes engineering design, fabrication, delivery, installation, and acceptance testing of a Robotic Friction Stir Welding System, a 6-axis machine for Friction Stir Welding using conventional fixed, auto-adjustable and self-reacting pin-tool technology intended for use as a manufacturing development tool for the agency’s Crew Launch Vehicle Program.
The process may potentially be used as a production welding tool in the manufacture and assembly of large-scale launch vehicle components. Contract options are included for a panel welder; seam tracker; platform and a second robotic friction stir welding system.
For information about NASA’s Exploration Systems Mission Directorate and development of the crew launch vehicle, visit:
