Stonhard ESD Flooring Protects Sensitive Spacecraft Components from Electrostatic Discharge
Project Overview
Payload processing facilities prepare, test, assemble, and fuel spacecraft and cargo before they are integrated into a rocket and launched into space. These operations require strict cleanliness and reliable protection from electrostatic discharge, since even a small static event can damage sensitive equipment and compromise mission-critical hardware. When a payload processing company supporting Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Kennedy Space Center identified aging ESD flooring in its facility, it sought a flooring company that could deliver a surface built for the precision of payload processing work. Enter Stonhard.
High-bay payload processing spaces require flooring that supports precision work and electrostatic protection.
Challenges & Requirements
After 15 years of service, the facility’s ESD flooring had sustained significant wear and damage, requiring full replacement. The new system needed to support industry-standard cleanliness, meet the specified electrostatic dissipative range, and provide a durable, smooth, and level surface for precise spacecraft and satellite component assembly. The project also demanded exceptional coordination inside a secured facility, working closely with security personnel and assigned escorts under strict protocols.
Solution
Stonhard's Stonux ESD, an ultra-smooth 2mm seamless, conductive flooring system, was chosen to cover approximately 8,500 sq. ft. of the facility. The existing ESD floor made for a suitable substrate and did not require removal. Its surface was mechanically prepared prior to the Stonlux ESD installation. New ESD grounding plates were installed, followed by testing and conditioning of the floor to verify its ESD performance.
The successful flooring installation has led to opportunities for additional ESD high-bay spaces within the facility and in the customer’s newest facility in a separate location.
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