HUNTSVILLE, AL – The Artemis I vehicle was successfully launched on November 16 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

Teledyne Brown Engineering designed and built the Launch Vehicle Stage Adapter (LVSA), which is one of the primary structures of the Artemis I vehicle. LVSA is the conical shaped section of the rocket that connects the core stage to the second stage, known as the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS).

Much of the fabrication was done in conjunction with Marshall Space Flight Center at their Advanced Weld Facility where the friction stir welding was performed.

“Our team has worked for over 7 years on this program, and we are elated to see those long hours and dedication for both Teledyne, NASA and all the supporting contractors finally culminate in a successful launch,” stated Scott Hall, President of Teledyne Brown Engineering. “It takes tremendous effort and passion to achieve such a milestone, and this will be recorded in history as a major advancement in mankind’s goals to further space exploration.”

The LVSA provides structural support for launch, houses the separation system, and protects avionics and electrical devices in the ICPS from extreme vibration and acoustic conditions during launch and ascent.

Artemis I is one of 3 vehicles, planned to be built that will use the LVSA. Teledyne Brown Engineering is on contract to build the LVSA section on all 3 of the upcoming vehicles.