Protective Packaging recently worked with an aerospace manufacturer to preserve the main rocket engines used during the Space Shuttle missions.

1. Packaging Space History
Protective Packaging Preserves Space Shuttle Main Rocket Engines
A large aerospace manufacturer had been tasked with storing several
rocket engines used during the Space Shuttle missions. The company
had a packaging solution in place that consisted of regular polyurethane
bags fitted with valves that enabled them to pump “missile air” (super
dehumidified air) into the bags to purge the ambient, humid air out of the
bag and keep the humidity at a minimum inside the bag. This solution is
effective for reducing the risk of corrosion as long as the power is on and
the pump supplying the missile air is working. In the event of a power
failure or other malfunction, the manufacturer needed a way to ensure
the storage environment would remain corrosion free.
The manufacturer contacted Protective Packaging’s on-site packaging
team to see what the company had to offer. Protective Packaging
evaluated the storage environment and length of storage and proposed a
multi-part solution designed to maintain a moisture-free environment
around the rocket engines in the event that the missile air purge system
failed.
Protective Packaging created an enclosure comprised of a one piece bag
that would be sealed together along the top. The enclosure was made
from Protect Scrim B, a moisture barrier material used in military
packaging that conforms to MIL-PRF-131. The team added access
points for the missile air purge valves and monitoring windows to check
the internal humidity via 3 spot humidity indicator cards. The
manufacturer used a crane to lift the rocket engines onto the bag. Next,
the team padded the edges and packed the component with several bags
of 16 unit Tyvek pouch desiccant. Protective Packaging’s on-site
packaging professionals then pulled the bag up over the engine and used
a Pack Rite heat sealer to seal the top of the one piece bag closed.
“We regularly use multiple products to achieve a more effective storage
environment,” commented Protective Packaging’s Senior Vice President,

2. Jim Hiller. “By combining a moisture-vapor proof barrier material with a
desiccant, we are able to create and maintain an interior space with
virtually no moisture.”
Several times during the procedure, the manufacturer reminded the team
to be careful saying, “Remember, these are $10 million national
treasures we are working with.”
An irreplaceable piece of space history is now packaged in a close-tozero humidity, flexible enclosure that is able to withstand damage caused
by dust, moisture, pests, and other air born contaminants.
About Protective Packaging
Protective Packaging Corporation produces barrier bags for corrosion
prevention and static shielding during shipping and storage. With over
25 years of developing packaging solutions with the US military,
Protective Packaging Corporation carries a wide range of mil-spec
compliant barrier materials available in rolls, sheets, tubes and bags. The
company’s packaging consultants assist customers in addressing all
forms of shipping needs, from protecting cargo during shipment to
preserving items during long-term storage. For more information on
Protective Packaging Corporation, visit
http://www.protectivepackaging.net.