STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - Waterway access to NASA’s Stennis Space Center is critical for the transport of large flight hardware and equipment. A recent project focused on refurbishing its decades-old waterway lock system to ensure the key piece of infrastructure maintains safe operating condition.
The renovation of the navigation lock system at Stennis began in November 2022, when crews removed the miter gates for inspection and refurbishment of the structural steel.
The system is critical in providing site access for large equipment that connects all large test stands on site. The refurbishment project was launched after engineers determined the lock system – built in the 1960s – needed extensive refurbishment.
The first step involved placement of a temporary retaining wall, known as a stop log, on Nov. 14.
Placement of the wall was key to help maintain water level in the NASA Stennis canal system while crews completed the extensive refurbishment project.
"(W)e were beginning to experience leaking during the opening and closing of the gates," said NASA project manager Dale Woolridge, "so it was time to get this project done to continue with a successful operation moving forward.”
Removal of the miter gates at the NASA Stennis lock system was no small undertaking. The four gates are each seven feet thick and measure 60 feet by 40 feet.
"We cannot have a piece of spaceflight hardware meant for the Moon trapped on Earth due to a broken lock gate.” (NASA 08/16/23)
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