NASA astronaut Stephen Bowen (right) views the controls of the Pegasus barge Thursday at Conrad Shipyard in Amelia. The company is modifying the barge to hold hardware and parts for the Space Launch System, NASA's new heavy-lift rocket that will carry future explorers to deep space.

Conrad Industries Shipyard in Amelia was recognized today for its work on one of NASA's barges.

The shipyard has been refurbishing the Pegasus, a barge that used to transport external space shuttle tanks from New Orleans to Florida, since September 2014.

NASA awarded the company the Space Flight Awareness of Excellence Award.

Steve Doering, director of center operations for Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., said he was thankful for the work the shipyard has put into this project.

A lot of what people think NASA does is rocket science, Doering said.

While that's true, the space program requires lots of other skills too.

The barge was lengthened from 260 feet to 310 feet to hold hardware and parts for the Space Launch System, NASA's new heavy-lift rocket that will carry future explorers to deep space. Doering said this made the barge 500,000 pounds heavier, requiring significant reinforcements.

The shipyard will complete the barge in summer 2015.

Steven G. Bowen, NASA astronaut, made the trip to the shipyard Thursday to express his appreciation.

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NASA honors Amelia shipyard for work on barge