The industry continues to invest, with private companies such as SpaceX making great strides in the field or the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which has surpassed the milestone of more than 820 successful launch and re-entry operations.
In this context of growth, Sarens continues to support the aerospace sector for maintenance, repair and logistics needs.
NASA and Bechtel designate Sarens to carry out the transport and assembly of the first tower module on the Mobile Launcher 2 (ML2) at Kennedy Space Center.
Since 2007, the total value of global space activities has been doubling, with estimates of reaching almost USD 800 billion by 2027. In fact, the value of the space industry is expected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035, according to the April 2024 World Economic Forum. In the case of the US, the country with the largest investment in this field, the region has a consolidated aerospace market driven by trends such as sustainable aviation, space exploration, science missions and satellite technology.
In this context of growth, Sarens, world leader in heavy lifting, engineered transport and crane rental services, continues to support the aerospace sector to cover maintenance, repair and logistics needs. For this reason, NASA and Bechtel have selected the company to carry out the transport and assembly of the first tower module on the Mobile Launcher 2 (ML2) at Kennedy Space Center, a preamble to the subsequent installation of 6 additional modules required for the launch of the Space Launch System Block 1B of the Artemis IV mission.
As the US aerospace industry remains at the forefront of innovation, demand for aerospace products and services is expected to continue to grow through 2025. In this regard the industry continues to invest, with private companies such as SpaceX making great strides in the field or the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which has surpassed the milestone of more than 820 successful launch and re-entry operations.
The planning and deployment of advanced equipment was critical to the success of the project, including a CC8800 crane, configured with a Boom Booster and SL Carrier, and the LR1350 crane, as well as 24-line SPMT and specialised hydraulics. Transporting all this equipment to the job site was a challenge for Sarens professionals, who had to deploy 150 trucks, taking three weeks to assemble. Similarly, the project presented other difficulties, such as navigation in adverse sea and weather conditions, logistical management during holidays and precision in confined spaces.
Given its extensive experience in similar projects and its innovative, safe and accurate solutions, Sarens was the perfect candidate to carry out the critical operation of the Mod 4 platform and assembly. Having collaborated in 2022 and 2023 on the construction and assembly of the ML2 base frame at the same site, the company has a very positive track record in terms of performance, innovation, specialist engineering expertise and safety.
According to Bechtel: "Sarens' heavy lift capability, expertise and focus on our shared value, safety, have helped our company execute several critical construction operations, from our Jack and Set milestone last May to the Mod 4 Rig and Set milestone in January. The ML2 team looks forward to Sarens' continued support as we begin to stack the remaining six tower modules, adding more than 60 metres to ML2's structural height in just a couple of months".
Sarens has extensive experience in the aerospace sector, having participated in the Artemis 2022 expedition, preparing the necessary infrastructure for future actions of this programme. Sarens also worked with NASA on the lift activities for the Mission to Mars project at the Stennis Space Center (SSC) in Mississippi, on the manoeuvring operations of the world's largest diameter vacuum chamber at Truth or Consequences (New Mexico) and, this past 2024, on the construction and transportation of the new mobile launch platform for NASA's Space Launch System at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
About Sarens
Sarens is the global leader and reference in crane rental, heavy lift and engineered transportation services. With state-of-the-art equipment, value engineering, one of the world's largest inventories of cranes, transporters and special rigging equipment, Sarens offers creative and intelligent solutions to today's heavy lifting and engineering transport challenges.
With more than 100 entities in 65 countries operating without borders, Sarens is an ideal partner for small to large-scale projects. Sarens currently employs 5,000 highly qualified professionals who are ready to serve the needs of any client worldwide and in all market sectors. https://www.sarens.com/