ADA Technologies, Inc. (ADA) today announced it has received a $99,979 Small Business Innovations Research (SBIR) contract from NASA for continued development of ADA’s Fine Water Mist fire suppression technology.
ADA’s Fine Water Mist technology is one of two technologies being considered for use in the next generation of manned spacecraft, beginning with the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle. ADA’s technology, which offers advantages in performance, ease of cleanup, compatibility with on-board environmental systems, and ability to recharge during a mission, has been in development for more than two years.
Earlier funding from NASA allowed ADA to design and build a prototype, hand-held Fine Water Mist fire extinguisher that has proven especially effective against the types of fires that occur in spacecraft, airplanes and other confined-space conditions. This latest contract will allow ADA to advance this prototype with a new design for a reduced-momentum nozzle.
“Since this type of extinguisher will be used in a relatively small and confined space inside a spacecraft, the discharge must be proportional to the space,” said Jim Butz, ADA’s vice president of operations. “ADA’s continued development of the Fine Water Mist extinguisher will enable NASA to more fully evaluate its use as an alternative fire suppression technology.”
ADA has partnered with the Colorado School of Mines to design and build a testing chamber that mimics spacecraft conditions. Tests of the improved Fine Water Mist Extinguisher will be conducted in this chamber.
About ADA Technologies, Inc.
ADA Technologies, Inc. is a research, development, and commercialization company that specializes in creating and converting innovative technologies to commercial successes. The firm is headquartered in Littleton, Colorado, with offices on the University of Wyoming campus in Laramie and the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, Blacksburg, VA. ADA has received more than 130 research grants totaling more than $40 million. ADA has received numerous honors, including: 2006 Tibbetts Award, 2006, 2007 & 2008 Colorado Technology Fast 50, 2006 & 2007 Best Companies to Work For in Colorado and Colorado’s Top Technology Company 2005. For more information, please visit www.adatech.com or call 303-792-5615.
Contact:
ADA Technologies Meredith Bagnulo, 303-513-7494 meredith@bagnulocomm.com