Design of the Second Mobile Launcher for Kennedy Space Center

Presenter: Dr. Peter J. Carrato, PE, Ceng, F.ASCE, F.ICE

The Mobile Launcher 2 (ML2) is a new rocket support structure developed in conjunction with NASA’s Artemis Program. The 380-foot tall ML2 tower will be used to assemble, transport, and launch the largest Block 1B and Block 2 configurations of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft. It is significantly larger and supports a vehicle nearly 1 million pounds heavier than its predecessor Mobile Launcher 1 (ML1). Both ML1 and ML2 employ the same Crawler Transporter (CT) and are weight constrained by its lifting capacity.

Pete Carrato is a Fellow Emeritus of Bechtel Global. He received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Civil Engineering from Bucknell University, and a Doctorate from Duke University where he majored in Civil Engineering and minored in Mathematics. Dr. Carrato is a registered Professional Engineer in the commonwealth of Virginia and a Chartered Engineering in the United Kingdom. Pete has almost 50 years of experience in the design and construction of heavy industrial steel structures around the world. He has been engaged in the design of the new mobile launch platform at Kennedy Space Center for the last five years. In addition to launch platforms, Dr. Carrato has been engaged for more than a decade in developing and judging NASA competition intended to provide innovative solutions needed to close key technology gaps. In this role he was the head judge for the 3D Printed Mars Habitat competition and is currently head judge for the lunar ice mining contest known as Break The Ice Lunar Challenge. Pete was awarded the NASA Silver Achievement Medal in 2020.