Hamilton Sundstrand, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX – News), will provide multiple systems on NASA’s new Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) as part of the Lockheed Martin-led team selected Thursday by NASA to build America’s next spacecraft for a new generation of explorers. The work is worth several hundred million dollars to Hamilton Sundstrand.
Hamilton Sundstrand will provide 13 key systems to the CEV, including the fire detection and suppression system, carbon monoxide removal/humidity control system, pressure control system, atmospheric monitoring system, cabin air ventilation and potable/cooling water storage.
Hamilton Sundstrand will also support Lockheed Martin as a systems integrator in the development of the CEV, integrating the vehicle’s power management and distribution, environmental and life support, actuation, and extra vehicular activity interface systems.
Development of the CEV has already begun. Hamilton Sundstrand will sustain production and engineering through 2019.
“Hamilton Sundstrand has partnered with NASA on the space program from the very beginning,” said Ed Francis, vice president and general manager of Hamilton Sundstrand Space, Land & Sea. “We’re delighted to join the Lockheed Martin team to provide multiple systems on the Crew Exploration Vehicle as we take the next step in space exploration.”
The CEV will succeed the space shuttle as NASA’s primary vehicle for human space exploration. Its first manned flight is planned for no later than 2014 to the International Space Station. Its first flight to the moon is planned for no later than 2020.
“We are all extremely proud of Hamilton Sundstrand’s work on the Space Shuttle,” said Dan Lee, director of programs for Human Space Systems. “Our people are excited to work with NASA and the Lockheed team to meet all the requirements of the CEV.”
The CEV will be capable of transporting cargo and up to six crewmembers to and from the International Space Station. It can carry four crewmembers for lunar missions. Later, it can support crew transfers for Mars missions.
The CEV will be 16.5 feet in diameter and have a mass of about 25 tons. Inside, it will have more than 2.5 times the volume of an Apollo capsule. The spacecraft will return humans to the moon to stay for long periods as a testing ground for the longer journey to Mars.
UTC, which expects space-related revenue to approach $1 billion in 2006, employs about 4,000 people in five states to perform space work.
Hamilton Sundstrand employs approximately 16,700 people worldwide and is headquartered in Windsor Locks, Conn. In addition to its space business, Hamilton Sundstrand is among the world’s largest suppliers of technologically advanced aerospace and industrial products. The company designs, manufactures and services aerospace systems and provides integrated system solutions for commercial, regional, corporate and military aircraft.
United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company that provides high-technology products and services to the aerospace and building industries
Contact: Dan Coulom 860-654-3469
