Goodrich Corporation
announced today it is developing a new main wheel to replace the
Goodrich main wheels currently in use on all four NASA Space Shuttle Orbiters.
NASA requested a modified wheel with increased performance capabilities which
will increase the safety of
Shuttle landings.
Changes to the wheel are
designed to permit a 20% increase in allowable landing loads from 142,500
pounds to 171,000 pounds, and a 10% increase in allowable landing speed from
225 knots to 250.
The new wheel configuration is expected to be delivered in
early 2004.
“Our relationship with NASA began when Goodrich developed space suits for
the Mercury astronauts.
Every Orbiter since the Enterprise has been equipped
with Goodrich wheels and brakes, as well as landing gear,” stated John Grisik,
Goodrich’s President, Landing Systems Group.
“When NASA comes to Goodrich
with a request, we are ready for the challenge.
Our company is proud to
contribute products and services essential to the Space Shuttle program,” he
continued.
With 2000 sales of $4.4 billion, Goodrich Corporation is a
leading worldwide supplier of aerospace components, systems and services, as
well as sealing and compressor systems and other engineered industrial
products.
Goodrich is ranked by Fortune magazine as one of the “Most Admired”
aerospace companies and is included on Forbes magazine’s “Platinum List” of
America’s best big companies.
The company has its headquarters in Charlotte,
North Carolina, and employs 23,000 people worldwide.
For more information,
please visit www.goodrich.com.
In addition to providing wheels and brakes for the Space Shuttle program,
Goodrich has created braking systems for over 200 types of aircraft.
The
company’s Aircraft Wheels & Brakes division, headquartered in Troy, Ohio, has
been a world leader in the design, development, and manufacturing of
commercial, military, regional, and business aircraft wheels and brakes for
more than 50 years.
