NASA is preparing to demolish three iconic structures at the agency's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
In mid-December, crews began demolition of the Neutral Buoyancy Simulator, a facility built in the late 1960s that once allowed NASA astronauts and researchers to experience near-zero gravity. The facility was also used for underwater testing of space equipment and test runs for servicing the Hubble Space Telescope. The simulator was closed in 1997.
Two test facilities – the Propulsion and Structures Test Facility and the Dynamic Test Facility – are also scheduled to be demolished one after the other in a carefully coordinated explosion no earlier than sunrise on January 10, 2026.
The demolition of these historic structures is part of a larger project that began in the spring of 2022 and targets several dormant structures that are no longer needed for the agency's missions. All three towering objects played a critical role in getting humans to the Moon, low Earth orbit and beyond.
These structures have reached the end of their safe operational life, and their removal has long been planned as part of a broader effort to modernize the Marshall area. This demolition is the first phase of an initiative that will ultimately demolish 25 obsolete structures, reduce maintenance burdens, and allow Marshall to take full advantage of the guaranteed infrastructure investments at NASA Center authorized under the Working Families Tax Credit Act.
Jared Isaacman
NASA Administrator
“This work reflects prudent stewardship of taxpayer resources,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. “Cleaning up aging infrastructure allows NASA to safely modernize, streamline operations, and take full advantage of the infrastructure investments signed by President Trump to ensure Marshall remains at the forefront of aerospace innovation.”
Built in 1964, the dynamic test facility was originally used to test fully assembled Saturn V rockets. In 1978, engineers combined all the elements of a spacecraft for the first time, including the orbiter, external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters. It was last used in the early 2000s for testing in microgravity conditions.
The Propulsion and Structures Test Facility, better known at Marshall as the “T-Tower” because of its unique shape, was built in 1957 by the U.S. Army Ballistic Missile Agency and transferred to NASA when Marshall was founded in 1960. Here, engineers tested components of the Saturn launch vehicle, the Army's Redstone rocket, and the shuttle's solid rocket boosters. It was last used to test solid rocket engines for spacecraft in the 1990s.
“Each of these structures helped NASA make history,” said Rae Ann Meyer, acting director of the Marshall center. “While it is difficult to let them go, they have earned their retirement. The people who built and operated these facilities, and enhanced our space exploration mission, are the most important part of their legacy.”
“These structures are not safe,” Meyer continued. “Strategic demolition is a necessary step in shaping the future of NASA's mission of exploration, innovation and inspiration. By removing these structures that we have not used for decades, we are saving money to maintain facilities that we cannot use. We are also making these areas safe to use for future NASA research efforts and investments.”
When NASA opened the neutral buoyancy simulator in 1968, it was one of the few places on Earth where the weightlessness of microgravity could be recreated. The facility provided a simulated zero-gravity environment in which engineers and astronauts could figure out how their designs might perform in orbit. The reservoir has played a central role in the planning and problem-solving of Skylab missions, the repair of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, and much more. The reservoir is 75 feet in diameter, 40 feet deep and can hold nearly 1.5 million gallons of water. It was replaced in 1997 by a new, larger facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.
The testing center for power plants and structures is one of the oldest. test standing at Marshall's. A two-position test stand, sometimes called a T-tower, was built for static testing of large rockets and launch systems—for example, firing a rocket while keeping it attached and connected to instruments that collect data. Testing and data played a role in the development of the Saturn family of rockets, including the F-1 engine and the S-IC.
The dynamic test facility, a 360-foot tower topped by a 64-foot derrick, was once the tallest man-made structure in North Alabama. Engineers there conducted full-scale tests of the Saturn 5 rockets, the same powerful vehicles that carried Apollo astronauts to the Moon. Later, the stand became the first site where all elements of the spacecraft were integrated.
The irreplaceable historical value of these landmarks has prompted NASA to undertake a major effort to preserve their history for future generations. The three sites were designated National Landmarks in 1985 for their involvement in human spaceflight. In accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, Marshall's master planners and engineers completed a thorough consultation and mitigation process for each landmark, working closely with the Alabama Office of Historic Preservation to preserve its history for future generations.
Detailed architectural documentation, written histories, and large-format photographs are permanently preserved in the Library of Congress's collection of Historic American Engineering Records, making this history accessible to researchers and the public for generations.
In addition, NASA partnered with Auburn University to create high-resolution digital models of each object. The project used technologies such as LiDAR and detailed 360-degree photography of structures before demolition. Their goal is to preserve not only the appearance, but also the sense of scale and engineering achievement that they represent. The models are still a work in progress, but will eventually be made available to the public.
Individual artifacts from the sites have also been identified and transferred to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center through the NASA Artifacts Program, ensuring that tangible pieces of this history remain available for educational purposes.
For employees, retirees and community members who remember these facilities for decades, their demolition marks the end of an era. But their contributions endure in every NASA mission, from the International Space Station to the upcoming Artemis II lunar missions and many more.
“NASA's vision for space exploration remains bright, and as we look to an exciting future, we honor the past, especially the dedication of the men and women who built these structures and tested the equipment launched into space, made unprecedented scientific discoveries, and inspired generations of Americans to reach for the stars,” Meyer said.
Demolition involves more than simply removing aging infrastructure. They are part of NASA's commitment to creating a vibrant, connected campus ready for the next era of space exploration, while honoring the bold spirit that has always driven the agency forward.
Virtual tours and preserved documentation will be available on Marshall's digital channels. Marshall will also share video of the test facility being demolished after the event.
On the morning of January 10, residents of the Redstone Arsenal area may hear a loud noise associated with the demolition of the building.
