Exceptional Test & Evaluations
As a dedicated partner to NASA, Vantage is committed to delivering exceptional engineering design, analysis, and spacecraft and Instrument integration support for research laboratories and test facilities and equipment. Our expertise ensures the optimal performance of critical ground test facilities, contributing to the success of NASA’s groundbreaking projects and initiatives.
Our Proficiencies
Engineering Design, Analysis, and Integration for Research Laboratories: Vantage offers unparalleled engineering design, analysis, and integration capabilities to enhance and maintain NASA’s research laboratories. Our experienced engineers collaborate closely with NASA to design, upgrade, and maintain research testing equipment and models, fostering an environment of innovation and excellence.
Ground Test Facilities Expertise: Our extensive expertise covers a diverse range of ground test facilities, including:
- Wind Tunnels: We provide comprehensive support for wind tunnels, ensuring their efficient operation and accuracy in testing the aerodynamic properties of various aerospace components.
- Air-Breathing Engine Test Stands: Our engineers excel in designing and optimizing air-breathing engine test stands, contributing to developing cutting-edge propulsion systems.
- Engine Component Facilities: We offer specialized expertise in designing and maintaining engine component testing facilities, enabling precise evaluations of engine components’ performance and durability.
- Space Simulation Chambers: Our team ensures the reliability and functionality of space simulation chambers, allowing for accurate testing of components and systems under space-like conditions.
Record Drawing Management and Configuration Management Support: Vantage plays a crucial role in supporting the configuration management of GRC’s test facility systems and equipment. Our services encompass:
- Record Drawing Management: We provide comprehensive record drawing management services, including drafting and field verification. This ensures accurate documentation and supports test facility systems and equipment maintenance.
- Configuration Management Support: Our team is dedicated to upholding configuration management standards for NASA’s facilities and institutional systems. By offering meticulous drafting and verification, we contribute to the overall efficiency and accuracy of configuration management processes.
Our Work
Test and Evaluation Excellence and Dedication to U.S. Space Missions
Through innovative approaches, strategic collaboration, and a commitment to excellence, Vantage overcame challenges, optimized practices, and achieved remarkable accomplishments in the realm of Test and Evaluation Engineering. Our story exemplifies our dedication to NASA’s mission and our unwavering pursuit of innovation in aerospace engineering.
Key Accomplishments:
Vantage provided essential engineering resources to the Facilities Test Division, contributing to the successful integration and testing programs across various key facilities at the Center, including Wind Tunnels, the Propulsion Systems Laboratory (PSL), Icing Research Tunnel (IRT), and several test cells.
In collaboration with the Manufacturing Division, Vantage teams excelled in fabricating flight and testing hardware. Our expertise in design development, manufacturability analysis, and scheduling allowed us to successfully develop hardware for complex projects like BLI2DTF, eCryo, and Ultra High Bypass, adhering to budget and schedule constraints.
Our team demonstrated expertise in planning, scheduling, and integrating multi-center project schedules for tests and evaluations. Our schedule analysts played a pivotal role in enhancing scheduling practices and procedures, integrating diverse schedule formats into a cohesive master scheduling database, and ensuring compliance with NASA and GRC directives.
Facing Challenges:
The challenge of adapting to several program offices’ diverse project methodologies for aeronautics and aerospace projects presented staffing limitations and hindered flexibility in project execution. Another challenge we faced was our ability to establish consistent quality standards for products across aeronautics and aerospace projects, which required overcoming communication barriers and sharing best practices.
Innovation Overcoming Challenges:
To address the challenge of diverse project methodologies, we innovatively formed mixed working groups of engineers from different disciplines. This allowed us to blend expertise, develop comprehensive practices, and enhance project execution capabilities. The introduction of mixed working groups significantly expanded the pool of engineers with diverse expertise, enabling better support for both aero and space projects.
In response to the challenge of ensuring quality and consistency, we developed GESS-3 standards documented in our Quality Management System (QMS). These standards were shaped by lessons learned from working groups and aimed to improve product quality while adhering to aeronautics and spaceflight standards. The development of GESS-3 standards led to improved product quality, reduced development time, and ensured adherence to tailored standards for aeronautics and aerospace projects.
To further enhance communication and share best practices, we established a Product Realization CoP. This platform allowed us to codify and share ideas for product improvement, fostering better communication and execution of best practices throughout the organization. The establishment of the Product Realization CoP improved communication, shared best practices, and fostered a culture of continuous improvement, resulting in enhanced products and efficient execution of projects.