Life Support Facility – Kennedy Space Center, Florida

The Life Support Facility serves as the operation center for the SCAPE procedures at the Kennedy Space Center. NASA’s Self Contained Atmospheric Protective Ensemble (SCAPE) suits are processed in this 22,000 square foot facility. The $5.7 million dollar building was constructed of concrete, tilt-wall panels, and a structural steel frame. It was also uniquely equipped with a monorail system to move the SCAPE suits throughout the various areas to be washed, dried, inspected, repaired, and stored. The project included site work, utilities, mechanical and electrical systems, as well as photovoltaic lighting in the parking areas. Additionally, a “breathing air piping system” was installed throughout the building. The Life Support Facility was RUSH’s second project at the Kennedy Space Center to be designed and constructed to comply with the “U.S. Green Building Council’s” Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED®) Rating System, and the facility was approved for Silver Certification in early 2009.

“A huge milestone for the project, the wall panel tilting was expected to take two days, but it was completed safely in one day! This is a monumental success! Congratulations to RUSH.” –Traci Just, Mechanical/Electrical Branch, Kennedy Space Center, NASA