Today’s
scheduled Shuttle launch begins another mission to the International
Space Station (ISS) supported in part by the innovative technology and
products of two Textron Inc. companies. Textron Systems’
HR Textron Operations of Valencia, Calif. and Textron’s Tempo Research
Corporation of Camarillo, Calif. both provided advanced technology
products contributing to this mission and the ISS operation. HR
Textron’s products enable engine operation, while Tempo products help
maintain communications with the ISS.
Textron Systems is responsible for the Space Shuttle’s main engine
hydraulic actuation system. This system controls the main engine fuel
valves allowing the engines to produce variable thrust needed to
operate. Textron Systems is the only company in the world to
manufacture actuators that control the mixture of liquid oxygen and
liquid hydrogen that goes into the combustion chamber of a liquid
fueled rocket motor such as the main Shuttle engine. Control of these
fluids enables engine start, main stage operation, shutdown and
emergency shutdown operations and allows the three Space Shuttle main
engines to produce from zero to 37 million horsepower.
During the late 1970s, Textron Systems delivered the first of 129
actuators used on the four Shuttle orbiters. These actuators have been
continually monitored and maintained by Textron Systems and are now
under a $30 million follow-on contact for depot support for NASA’s
Space Shuttle Main Engine Hydraulic Actuation Systems (SSME-HAS) with
the Rocketdyne Division of The Boeing Company.
“Textron Systems is proud to be a part of the Space Shuttle
program. Our longstanding relationship with Rocketdyne and NASA is
evidence that quality HR Textron products and customer service have
prevailed for more than 25 years,” said Joe Klocko, vice president,
aircraft products, HR Textron Operations.
Tempo contributes to one of the essential, mission critical
systems aboard the ISS, the Fiber Optic Local Area Network used to
flawlessly communicate within the ISS and with Earth. This crucial
pathway used for all audio, video, high-speed data and telemetry is
maintained using Tempo Research Corporation fiber optic test
equipment.
Tempo equipment was selected to support communications aboard the
ISS because of its functionality, performance, durability and size.
With space at a premium aboard the ISS, size is a critical issue.
“Tempo has a long history of supporting fiber optics in military and
aerospace applications,” says Max Vallejo, ISS Optical Systems Manager
for Boeing – prime contractor to NASA for the Space Station.
Textron Systems Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron
Inc., provides innovative technology solutions to meet the needs of
the global aerospace and defense industries. The company supports
military precision engagement and dominant maneuver with strike
weapons, mobility and surveillance systems. The Textron name is well
known in the areas of advanced weapons, surveillance systems, aircraft
control components, specialty marine craft and armored vehicles.
Camarillo, California-based Tempo-Camarillo (formerly RIFOCS
Corp.) is a leading supplier of fiber optic test equipment,
components, and cable assemblies for the commercial
telecommunications, data communications, military and aerospace
markets. Tempo-Oakville (formerly Opto-Electronics Inc.), located in
Oakville, Ontario, Canada, produces unrivaled high-resolution
short-haul optical time domain reflectometers for the
telecommunications, aerospace and defense industries.
Textron Inc. is a $12 billion multi-industry company
with more than 51,000 employees in 40 countries. The company leverages
its global network of businesses to provide customers with innovative
solutions and services in industries such as aircraft, fastening
systems, industrial products and components and finance. Textron is
known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell
Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO and Greenlee,
among others. More information is available at www.textron.com.
