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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Dynetics Builds Rocket Center in Decatur, Alabama

08/30/2017
Dynetics Inc. launched a project to build a three-building complex in Decatur, Alabama. The facility will support the development and testing of large rocket components.

The company’s Decatur complex will have three buildings under development, Test Stand 1, Test Control Center and the Hardware Integration Facility. Dynetics will use the facility to build the SLS Universal Stage Adapter and perform structural testing for the Department of Defense, NASA and commercial customers.

The complex will be situated near the sprawling United Launch Alliance factory where Atlas V and Delta IV rockets are assembled.

“Developing and testing these large structures are significant for Dynetics and the future of space exploration,” Dynetics CEO David King said. “This facility will add another capability to Alabama’s aerospace industry.”

Earlier this year, Dynetics won a NASA contract valued at $221 million to manage the development and assembly of a critical component for the Space Launch System, the rocket that could one day take man to Mars. Dynetics is also involved in other aspects of the SLS project.

RUAG Space, a Swiss company, will work as Dynetics’ partner on the SLS Universal Stage Adapter at a 130,000-square-foot assembly facility being built on ULA’s campus in Decatur. RUAG specializes in sophisticated composite rocket components such as fairings and adapters, which connect different stages of rockets.

Meanwhile, ULA is working on its own next-generation launch vehicle, which will replace the Atlas and Delta rockets after a significant new investment in the Decatur facility.

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