RS&H
Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Pad-0A
Client: Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority
Category: Transportation
Since retiring the Space Shuttle in 2011, NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program is helping to ensure the nation’s continued exploration of space, as well as the ability to transport supplies to the International Space Station. Furthermore, the program is serving to build a robust commercial space transportation industry in the U.S., opening space exploration and transport to the private sector.
Key to this program was developing the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) Pad-0A, the nation’s first liquid-fueled, multi-user launch facility. Unlike traditional facilities, Pad-0A was specifically designed by RS&H to accommodate rockets from different private companies. Benefits of Pad-0A include reduced costs for launch vehicles (since users only design and construct the specific systems for their vehicle and not the entire pad) and reduced maintenance costs to individual users (since costs are split).
The facility required an innovative design, presented unique challenges, and involved seamless coordination with multiple stakeholders to meet the first launch of Orbital Sciences Corporation’s Antares rocket on April 21, 2013.
Pad-0A represents the nation’s newest gateway to low-Earth orbit, creating opportunities for the private industry to innovate and establish new capabilities and services that will open new space markets.

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