Part 4/12:
Kennedy's assembly process is a marvel of modular construction—where steel plates arrive, are blasted, primed, and then assembled into subunits complete with foundations, stiffeners, and penetrations. These modules are outfitted with miles of piping, cable trays, and equipment before arriving at the dock for final integration.
One of the most impressive feats involves the heavy lift of massive modules like the 932-metric-ton lower stern, which houses steering and power systems, assembled from 30 individual units prejoined over days of meticulous preparation. The 588-ton island, serving as the ship’s command center for flight operations, was installed in 2019, marking a major structural milestone.