DMC reported June 6 that it’s been hired by Northrop Grumman (NG) to build NASA’s test system for the Space Launch System’s (SLS) Booster Obsolescence Life Extension (BOLE) program. SLS is a NASA spacecraft that will enable trips to the Moon and Mars. SLS vehicles will use a launchpad powered by thrust from dual boosters supplied by BOLE.
NG selected DMC to create the automated electrical production test equipment that will help ensure each booster is qualified for Artemis missions. DMC’s prior success in developing large-scale rocket testing systems for NG played a role in giving it the confidence to choose DMC for this test asset, according to Jesse Batsche, senior test and measurement director at DMC.
“DMC has successfully developed projects for Northrop Grumman, and the BOLE test system is the next iteration based on that success,” says Chris Cilino, senior project engineer at DMC. “We’re honored to be selected by Northrop Grumman because of our design, passion, and completeness of the solution.”
For BOLE, DMC selected National Instruments’ LabVIEW software, as well as other products from vendors such as Pickering. DMC’s staff includes certified TestStand Architects (CTAs), certified LabVIEW Architects (CLAs), certified LabVIEW Developers (CLDs), and a LabVIEW Champion.
“The NI platform is open, and not only works with other hardware like Pickering switches, but also other software such as Python, .NET, C Sharp, and C++,” explains Cilino. “While NI’s platform is very capable, its ability to work with other technologies provides DMC flexibility to pick the right tools for each part of the project.”
