NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop the mobile launcher at Launch Pad 39B on Aug. 29. Photo: NASA/Joel Kowsky

Sidus Space started 2023 with the announcement of a new contract from Bechtel Corporation to manufacture cables for the NASA Mobile Launcher 2 project. Sidus announced the contract award, Jan. 3. Mobile Launcher 2 (ML2) is the ground platform structure that will launch Space Launch System (SLS) Block 1B and Block 2 configurations to the Moon, allowing the agency to send astronauts and heavy cargo to the lunar surface as part of NASA’s Artemis program. ML2 is the primary interface between the ground launch control system and the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft flight hardware.

Sidus was previously awarded a contract to fabricate custom cables and populate unique electronics cabinets supporting the launch control subsystem and ground special power subsystems.

“Our extensive experience in Space and Defense hardware manufacturing is an important component of our end-to-end Space-as-a-Service offering, which has proven to be a stable and growing revenue stream for us as we develop and market new offerings. Continued work from Bechtel on this important project helps demonstrate the consistent quality of our production,” Carol Craig, Sidus Space founder and CEO said in a statement.