NASA Goddard Space Flight Center HCC

About

NASA’s Goddard High-Capacity Centrifuge (HCC), located in Greenbelt, MD, is a one-of-a-kind national monument NASA Goddard HCCbuilt in the 1960s to support the Apollo space program. It’s 120 ft. diameter arm is capable of accelerating a 5000 lb. payload to 30 G’s (38 rpm) to simulate the extreme launch and landing loads experienced by spacecraft. Some of the projects that the HCC has played a critical role in testing include various satellite launches, the Mars Pathfinder Probe, the Hubble Space Telescope, and the James Webb Space Telescope.

After decades of testing for numerous projects, the legacy Automax PLC control system and DC drives required updating to continue operating the centrifuge. Recognizing the need for a complete systems modernization, NASA turned to Premier Automation to collaborate on these updates.

The Problem

Due to the antiquated legacy systems of the HCC, NASA faced increasing difficulty sourcing replacement parts, and the outdated controls lacked modern diagnostic tools or the ability to update software.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.

The Solution

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

The Results

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.