As part of the redevelopment of the National Air and Space Museum (NASM) on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., KLINE played a central role in the relocation of two historic museum artifacts: the 18,000 lb. F-1 Rocket Engine, the world’s most powerful single-chamber rocket engine, and the 4,000 lb. quarter F-1 engine. Both artifacts now serve as centerpiece displays in the Destination Moon exhibition.

The relocation required precise planning and engineering, including the use of specially fabricated steel framing systems to transport, rotate, and lift the engines safely within the building. 

Beyond the F-1 engines, KLINE also supported the museum in relocating the “Delta Solar” sculpture, a kinetic artwork displayed outside the NASM. KLINE designed a custom rigging system to lift and transport the delicate piece, ensuring its safe removal and reinstallation without damage.

These contributions underscore KLINE’s commitment to advancing projects that preserve and celebrate cultural and scientific heritage through precision engineering and thoughtful execution.

Project Highlights:

KLINE’s role encompassed the structural evaluations, design, and planning needed to make these highly complex relocations possible. This included assessing the building’s framing and roof structure to confirm it could support temporary loads, redesigning the F‑1 engine stand to fit within the museum’s spatial constraints, and creating custom rigging systems to manage the lifting and rotation of the artifacts.

Throughout the process, KLINE worked closely with the construction and rigging teams to coordinate safe, efficient execution. Our engineers were on site to oversee critical phases of the move, ensuring that each step met the rigorous standards required for both artifact preservation and public safety.

By combining technical precision with creative problem‑solving, KLINE helped bring these iconic pieces of aerospace history into their new home, allowing the public to continue engaging with them for generations to come.