MAF is in Stage 3 of the NASA Return to Work On-Site Framework.
For more information on the different stages, visit NASAPeople.nasa.gov
For Coronavirus (COVID-19) information, visit Coronavirus.gov
NASA Michoud Assembly Facility
Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans is a world-class manufacturing facility providing vital support to NASA exploration and discovery missions. Michoud is NASA-owned and managed for the agency by the Marshall Space Flight Center.
Michoud is unique in that it contains one of the largest production buildings in the nation. Its vertical assembly building proved a critical resource for stacking components of the space shuttle external tank, which was constructed, tested and delivered to NASA's Kennedy Space Center by Michoud throughout the Space Shuttle Program. Between 1979 and 2010, the facility produced 136 tanks; only one of these was never used for spaceflight.
Today, Michoud supports several major projects for America's next generation of space transportation vehicles, including NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) heavy-lift rocket, managed by Marshall, and the Orion spacecraft, managed by Johnson Space Center. Michoud's highly skilled work force is manufacturing and assembling Orion and also will build the critical core stage of the SLS, which is intended to take human explorers farther into our solar system than ever before.
January 10, 2021
MAF Transition to modified NASA COVID Stage 3
Beginning Monday, January 11th, 1st Shift, Michoud Assembly Facility will return to Stage 3 of NASA’s Framework for Return to On-Site Work with some modifications. While there has been no on-site spread of COVID-19, our local area is experiencing an increase in activity. The protection and care of everyone at Michoud remains our top priority. Please keep lines of communication open with your leadership for information on how this directly affects you and your organization.
The modified Stage 3 will include the following changes:
- On-site work limited to mission-essential personnel
- Employees who must be onsite to perform work, can return with supervisor approval, all others will continue to telework
- Facility staffing capacity will be reduced from 50% to 25%
- Restricted travel within NASA
- Lobby open only to scheduled appointments and to mission-essential personnel
- Food services in 102 will be open for take-out only, no seating
- Ochsner will operate by appointment
- Gym access reduced to four people at a time (reduced from eight) and by appointment only, no walk-ins allowed
- Exchange limited to six patrons at a time
During Stage 3 we will continue safe practices such as:
- Mask will be mandatory when on site at all times including when in close proximity of one or more personnel and in all general area such as rest rooms, break areas, cafeteria, common aisles, etc.
- Maintaining a social distancing minimum of six feet
- Sanitizing and cleaning
- Alert Trace Monitoring for NASA and NASA Contractors
- Quarantine for 10 days if you have had close contact (within six feet for more than 15 minutes) with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19
- S3 staffing for craft, custodial, construction and supervision will remain at current levels on-site
- Security Walls will remain at current levels
These modifications are consistent with our experience of managing through COVID-19 these past ten months and reflect what we have learned throughout that time.
We will continue to monitor the situation within our region and the greater New Orleans area and determine if/when the guidelines should be adjusted to meet the health and safety needs of our team.
It is everyone’s responsibility to keep one another safe, and we should all adhere to the guidance set forth by healthcare professionals. Please continue to remain in constant contact with your supervisors for guidance and read all communications from MAF, the agency and by regularly visiting NASAPeople and MAFSpace for the latest information.
Your support and dedication are greatly appreciated as we navigate through these difficult times. Thank you for your patience and collaboration as we continue to keep the mission moving forward.
Robert Champion
Director, Michoud Assembly Facility
Craig Betbeze
NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility
504-419-5333
craig.c.betbeze@nasa.gov