NASA 325-Ton Crane Upgrade

This 325-ton crane plays a critical role in the new era of space exploration. Following our upgrades to its control and distribution systems, the crane was utilized in High Bay 3 for the integration and assembly of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for the Artemis II mission. This historic mission, which successfully carried four astronauts around the Moon and back just last week, relied on the precision and reliability of the VAB’s heavy-lift infrastructure to safely prepare the spacecraft for its journey beyond low Earth orbit.

The scope of this project was to design, install, and test upgraded controls, actuation and braking systems, and power distribution systems on the 325-ton overhead bridge crane located in High Bay 3 (HB3) of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC).

To meet the rigorous demands of the Vehicle Assembly Building, Sievert Crane & Hoist performed a comprehensive electrical and mechanical overhaul. The project included:

• Inspection & Evaluation: Performed a detailed inspection of the existing electrical components intended for reuse and evaluated the existing powertrack cables for strategic replacement.
• Power Distribution: Designed, fabricated, and installed a new 437-foot bus bar system.
• • Designed and installed a new Crane Power Feedrail to the arms and mating collector shoes on both the 325-ton crane and the adjacent 250-ton crane.
• Control Systems: Designed, fabricated, and installed custom controls specifically for the 325-ton overhead bridge crane, followed by rigorous testing of all upgraded actuation and braking systems.
• Mechanical & Safety Upgrades:
• • Designed and installed protective guards for all exposed rotating crane parts.
  • Replaced the hoist and travel brakes while retaining the original brake wheels.
  • Replaced and modernized the weighing system electronics.
• Efficiency Improvements: Upgraded the crane’s lighting system by replacing outdated HPSV lights with high-efficiency LED fixtures.

More about the Artemis II Mission

Artemis II was a historic 10-day mission that launched on April 1, 2026, marking the first time humans have traveled to the vicinity of the Moon since 1972. Carrying a crew of four—including the first woman, the first person of color, and the first Canadian to venture into deep space—the Orion spacecraft completed a lunar flyby and reached a record-breaking distance of over 252,000 miles from Earth. The mission concluded with a successful splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on April 10, validating critical life-support systems and paving the way for a crewed lunar landing later this decade.