Dothan company to help NASA on Moon/Mars missions

A business in Alabama is helping NASA move forward with its Orion deep space exploration project. Space Science Services is currently working on NASA projects including modification of the structure complex for the mobile launch platform for the Orion Project. That's the new space capsule designed to carry astronauts out of Earth orbit for the first time since 1972. The company is also testing on the vertical assembly building platform for that project. The company has been in business since 1961 and has had a site in Dothan for about 25 years. The Dothan Eagle reports that Space Science Services is providing metallurgical testing for NASA. The goal is to ensure that various metal components used in metal structures are sound. The Dothan-based company checks welds to ensure they're in good condition and also inspects metal components to ensure they're in working order. Space Science Services uses a number of imaging technologies to inspect components, including radiographic testing and ultrasound testing.