A group of 16
NASA astronauts, who will be flying to the International Space Station
(ISS) in the next few years to install the remaining Lockheed
Martin-built solar arrays, visited the Company’s facility in Sunnyvale
today. The visit allowed them the opportunity to observe at first hand
the deployment of a massive solar array blanket, 107 feet long and 14
feet wide, and to carefully examine the intricate mechanisms with
which they will be working on their visits to the Space Station.

In addition, the astronauts and their Extravehicular Activity
(EVA) ground support team members, from the NASA Johnson Space Center
in Houston, were able to consult with the Lockheed Martin Space
Systems engineers and technicians who built and tested the solar
arrays. NASA believes it important that astronauts and support teams
have direct hands-on experience with the hardware that they will be
taking into space.

The first of four pairs of massive solar arrays for the
International Space Station, built at Lockheed Martin Space Systems in
Sunnyvale, were launched aboard the space shuttle Endeavour to the
International Space Station on Nov. 30, 2000. During a 12-day mission,
astronauts connected the package of giant solar arrays and associated
electronics, batteries, radiators, and support structure to the
Station. Subsequent pairs of arrays, already delivered to NASA, will
be carried on shuttle flights currently scheduled for 2003, 2004, and
2006.

The Space Systems ISS solar arrays are the largest deployable
space structure ever built and will be by far, the most powerful
electricity-producing arrays ever put into orbit. When the Station is
completed a total of eight flexible, deployable solar array wings will
generate the reliable, continuous power for the on-orbit operation of
the ISS systems. The eight array wings were designed and built under a
$450 million contract from the Boeing-Rocketdyne Division in Canoga
Park, Calif., for delivery to the Boeing Company and NASA.

Each of the eight wings consists of a mast assembly and two solar
array blankets. Each blanket has 84 panels, of which 82 are populated
with solar cells. Each panel contains 200 solar cells. The eight
photovoltaic arrays thus accommodate a total of 262,400 solar cells.
When fully deployed in space, the active area of the eight wings, each
107 by 38-feet, will encompass an area of 32,528-sq. ft., and will
provide power to the ISS for 15 years.

In addition to the arrays, Space Systems in Sunnyvale has also
designed and built other elements for the Space Station that will be
launched on future shuttle missions. Rotary mechanical joints for the
ISS will move the solar arrays and thermal radiators into positions
relative to the Sun that will optimize their individual functions.
These mechanical joints are the largest mechanisms ever designed to
operate in a space environment.

The two Solar Alpha Rotary Joints (SARJ) are each 10.5 ft diameter
and 40 inches long. Their purpose is to maintain the solar arrays in
an optimal orientation to the Sun while the entire Space Station
orbits the Earth once every 90 minutes. Drive motors in each SARJ will
move the arrays through 360 degrees of motion at four degrees per
minute.

The Thermal Radiator Rotary Joints (TRRJ) are each five and a half
feet long and three feet in diameter. Their purpose is to maintain the
Space Station thermal radiators in an edge-on orientation to the sun
that maximizes the dissipation of heat from the radiators.

Space Systems has also produced the Trace Contaminant Control
System (TCCS). The TCCS is an integral part of the Space Station’s
Cabin Air Revitalization Subsystem (ARS). It is designed to ensure
that the levels of airborne contaminants in the Space Station
Laboratory and Habitation modules are safe for manned flight. The
Space Station environment will be maintained at a level far cleaner
than that in a modern office building. There will be TCCS units
installed aboard equipment racks in two modules in the Space Station.
The first was launched with the Destiny Laboratory Module in 2001. A
second TCCS will be installed in U.S. Node 3, currently targeted for
launch in 2005.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company is one of the major
operating units of Lockheed Martin Corporation. Space Systems designs,
develops, tests, manufactures, and operates a variety of advanced
technology systems for military, civil and commercial customers. Chief
products include a full-range of space launch systems, including
heavy-lift capability, ground systems, remote sensing and
communications satellites for commercial and government customers,
advanced space observatories and interplanetary spacecraft, fleet
ballistic missiles and missile defense systems.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global
enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development,
manufacture, and integration of advanced-technology systems, products,
and services. The Corporation’s core businesses are systems
integration, space, aeronautics, and technology services. Employing
more than 125,000 people worldwide, Lockheed Martin had 2001 sales
surpassing $24 billion.

A high-resolution electronic image of the astronauts in front of
an ISS solar array blanket at Lockheed Martin Space Systems in
Sunnyvale is available at:
http://home.attbi.com/~buddy1/astro_group.jpg.

For more information about Lockheed Martin Space
Systems-Sunnyvale, see our website at http://lmms.external.lmco.com.