The Hamilton Sundstrand space suit performed flawlessly during more and longer space walks than ever before in International Space Station history. The space walks (EVAs) occurred throughout the 16-day STS-123 mission to the International Space Station, during which the suit facilitated five EVAs totaling more than 30 hours. Hamilton Sundstrand is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) .
In addition to facilitating preliminary deployment of the Japanese Kibo laboratory, the EVAs also accommodated assembly of the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator, also known as Dextre, a Canadian-built robot that will help with future maintenance and service of the International Space Station. Other EVAs were performed to stow the Orbiter Boom Sensor System onto the station’s main truss, and to demonstrate shuttle tile repair materials using the Tile Repair Ablator Dispenser.
“Hamilton Sundstrand is pleased and proud to contribute to our nation’s space exploration program,” said Ed Francis, vice president and general manager of Hamilton Sundstrand Space, Land & Sea. “Our people work extremely hard to meet and exceed all mission requirements.”
STS-123, the longest space shuttle mission, was the 122nd space shuttle flight, the 25th to the International Space Station, and the second of six flights planned for 2008.
Hamilton Sundstrand, a partner in America’s space program since its inception, provides a number of systems for the International Space Station including those that control electrical power and process water, waste and air. Hamilton Sundstrand has been the prime contractor to NASA for the space suit since the shuttle era began in 1981.
Other United Technologies companies play a major role in America’s space program as well. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne supplies the Space Shuttle’s main engines, which have successfully powered every shuttle launch to date. The Space Shuttle main engines are the world’s only re-usable rocket engines and also the most efficient ever produced. Each engine generates 418,000 pounds of thrust at sea level. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne has a 50-year history in space exploration. UTC Power has supplied fuel cells for every U.S. manned space mission during the past four decades and continues to provide three 12-kilowatt fuel cells that generate all onboard electrical power for each orbiter. Backup batteries are not needed, and the water produced by the electrochemical reaction in the fuel cells provides drinking water for the astronauts. During this mission, UTC Power fuel cells surpassed 100,000 hours of operation.
With 2007 revenues of $5.6 billion, Hamilton Sundstrand employs approximately 18,300 people worldwide and is headquartered in Windsor Locks, Conn. In addition to its space business, it is among the world’s largest suppliers of technologically advanced aerospace and industrial products. The company also designs, manufactures and services aerospace systems and provides integrated system solutions for commercial, regional, corporate and military aircraft.
United Technologies Corp., of Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.
Contact: Leo Makowski 860-654-9240
