NASA Crane Systems and the Vehicle Assembly Building

What is the main purpose of NASA's Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) as described in the video?

• a) To design rockets

• b) To operate and maintain the systems and facilities necessary for launching rockets and spacecraft

• • c) To create astronaut training programs

• • d) To develop new space exploration technologies

What role do cranes play in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA?

• a) They transport astronauts to the launch pad

• b) They lift and stack sections of the rocket fuselage during assembly

• c) They are used to fuel the rockets

• d) They provide support during rocket launches

What is one of the key challenges faced when designing cranes for NASA's VAB?

• a) Ensuring they are lightweight

• b) Making them small enough to fit in confined spaces

• c) Ensuring they can lift very heavy loads without bending or breaking

• d) Designing them to operate underwater

According to the video, how do engineers test the cranes before using them for actual rocket assembly?

• a) By using computer simulations only

• b) By building small-scale models and testing them with heavy loads

• c) By testing them in space

• d) By using them to lift and move spacecraft in the assembly building

Why is it important for the cranes in NASA’s VAB to be strong and stable?

• a) To ensure they can be used for many years

• b) To prevent them from getting damaged in harsh weather

• c) To safely lift and stack heavy rocket components without causing accidents

• d) To make them more efficient in moving objects around the building