NASA FDRF Wind Tunnel Build

Project Overview:

PSC Crane & Rigging played a vital role in building NASA’s Flight Dynamics Research Facility (FDRF) at Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia — the first major project of its kind in over 40 years. This 25,000-square-foot facility, featuring a 120-foot vertical wind tunnel, will advance research for missions to the Moon, Mars, Venus, and Titan while replacing aging infrastructure from the 1930s. PSC handled complex lifting operations, coordinating closely with design and construction teams to sequentially build the structure and integrate wind tunnel components. Daily planning sessions ensured efficient crane utilization and a streamlined construction timeline, contributing to the successful execution of this state-of-the-art research
facility.

Scope of Work:

Lifting and installing components for NASA’s 120-ft vertical wind tunnel at Langley Research Center.

Key Challenges & Solutions:

• Delicate Loads: Built Halo Lift structure for precision.
• Safety: Used FOD exclusion zones and 3D lift simulations.

Impact:

First major NASA vertical tunnel since 1941; enabled new frontier aerospace testing.