Thor Tower Refurbishment (THOR-TASK)

Partial refurbishment of the Thor Tower test facility was completed by NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC ) in 2023. Design plans and cost estimates for refurbishment of the rest of the Thor Test facility are available, except for the replacement of the top floor (level 12). Therefore, first a design study will be contracted to scope the work according to safety codes and NASA regulations. Afterwards, a firmed-fixed-price contract will be awarded to an internal contractor for the completion of key tasks that would enhance the testing capabilities of the tower facility. The objective is to refurbish the Thor Tower test facility in Building 1293B, Room 106 at LaRC for future structural characterization testing of the behavior of vertically deployed structures as demonstrated by the recently completed STMD ACO GOALIE project. Also, to enable functional deployment testing of long test articles in a simulated gravity off-loading condition. Additional state of the art test instrumentation (DIC cameras, motion tracking cameras, load cells, data acquisition systems, etc.), lighting, railing and bracketry, HVAC improvements, and electrical and data outlets are needed to cover the entire 30 m working span of the facility. At least the top floor closest to the ceiling will be demolished and replaced to allow testing safely up to the full-length of the facility from the top load bearing beam where the overhead crane is affixed. Gravity off-loading from pulleys attached to the ceiling beam and/or distributed at intermediate tower levels and the associated test instrumentation equipment will also be pursued. The completion of the remaining facility enhancement elements for the Thor test facility are dependent on a cost-share by LaRC.

​The upgrade of the Thor Tower Facility at NASA LaRC where up to 30 m tall structures could be and static, dynamic and functionally vertically tested while being gravity off-loaded will be a national facility asset. The upgrades on the top half of the tower will enlarge the test area and bring the facility up to current safety code while enabling easy access to the ceiling for attaching gravity off-loading and test fixtures. The selection of state of the art photogrammetry, videogrammetry and load testing equipment to be purchased will be carried out with alignment to the test needs of current projects such as the Vertical Solar Array Technology (VSAT) while also being compatible with the implementation of future heavy-duty pneumatic-magnetic gravity off-loader actuators for modal vibration testing. The facility ​will also be used for the initial characterization and ground testing of new slender structural booms and trusses as well as lateral stabilization methods under development at LaRC for vertically erected moon and planetary surface structures.

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