NASA Goddard HCC

Due to the antiquated legacy systems of the HCC, NASA faced increasing difficulty sourcing replacement parts, and the outdated controls lacked modern diagnostic tools or the ability to update software. The long-term reliability, maintainability, and safety of the HCC were at risk if NASA did not act quickly.

To address these challenges, NASA partnered with Premier Automation to execute a comprehensive systems upgrade from concept to completion that addressed both reliability and functionality:

• PLC Upgrade: Replaced the Automax system with a Siemens S7-1500 PLC</>, providing modern, flexible, and easily supported controls, backed by long-term vendor support
• Operator Interface: Integrated a Siemens WINCC HMI that gives operators real-time visibility, intuitive controls, and details of fault diagnostics, creating more time for preventative maintenance and improving efficiency.
• Motor Control Modernization: Installed Siemens DC drives to replace the antiquated DC field control system, ensuring precise and reliable regulation of the centrifuge’s massive drive motors.
• Safety Enhancements: Implemented automatic shutdown protocols and advanced alarming to monitor safety and performance, maintaining compliance with industry standards and reducing lifecycle risks

This collaborative modernization project between NASA and Premier Automation successfully preserved the functionality of the NASA Goddard HCC. With updated controls and motor drives, the HCC is now easier to maintain, safer to operate, and better equipped to handle upcoming missions.

• Restored Reliability: NASA’s HCC now has a fully supported, modernized system that greatly reduces the uncertainty associated with obsolete hardware.
• Improved Safety: Automated shutdowns and enhanced monitoring capabilities protect both personnel and valuable test payloads.
• Operational Insight: Operators gain detailed diagnostic information, making troubleshooting more efficient.
• Reduced Costs and Risks: Modernization of legacy systems reduces long-term maintenance costs and minimizes the risk of downtime during critical missions
• Preserved National Asset: The HCC, a U.S. National Monument, remains fully operational and ready for upcoming missions.