SpaceDev Awarded
International Space Station Contract
(20 March 2008) SpaceDev, Inc. has
been awarded a contract from IHI-Aerospace (Japan) to manufacture multiple
flight ship-sets of precision space mechanisms for the H2 Transfer Vehicle
(HTV).
Included are low-shock release devices used to restrain
the HTV's exposed cargo pallet during launch, and release it on orbit for
transfer to the International Space Station. The contract also calls for
SpaceDev to supply high-output paraffin release mechanisms and a brush motor.
Hardware for operational HTV spacecraft will be delivered over the next six
years.
"We are very pleased to announce this contract win which is one
of the Company's largest in recent years. Our release mechanisms utilise our
exclusively licensed Fast Acting Shock-less Separation Nut (FASSN) technology,"
said Mark N. Sirangelo, SpaceDev's Chairman and CEO. "Our FASSN has the ability
to release very high loads with low shock levels, and we believe it has already
proven itself as the technology of choice for spacecraft/launch vehicle
separations, being adopted by launch vehicle suppliers such as United Launch
Alliance, Sea Launch, and most recently Arianne. With the upcoming retirement
of the Shuttle, alternate sources of resupply to the International Space
Station are becoming increasingly important, which we believe will lead to a
long life for this program. We are honoured to be supporting IHI-Aerospace
(Japan) in this effort."
About SpaceDev
SpaceDev, Inc. is a space
technology/aerospace company that creates and sells affordable and innovative
space products and mission solutions.
(source: Spacedev)
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