Sierra Nevada Corporation awarded follow-on contract to support Orbital ATK’s Commercial Resupply Services programs
(1 March 2016) Sierra Nevada Corporation’s (SNC) Space Systems was recently awarded a contract to provide multiple Passive Common Berthing Mechanisms (PCBM) by Special Aerospace Services (SAS) of Boulder, Colorado for Orbital ATK’s Cygnus advanced maneuvering spacecraft in support of NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services 1 and 2 (CRS1, CRS2) programs.
This contract follows a previous order with SNC resulting in the complete delivery of eight PCBM units in support of Orbital ATK’s CRS1 missions. With the berthing of the OA-4 Cygnus spacecraft to the ISS on December 9, 2015, three SNC PCBM units have now flown and successfully berthed with the ISS. The PCBMs provide a sealed connection between Cygnus and the International Space Station (ISS), enabling delivery and removal of critical supplies.
Orbital ATK's Cygnus Cargo Vehicle and SNC's PCBM Ring. (courtesy: SNC)
“We are pleased to provide the berthing mechanism for Cygnus and aid in the continuous resupply and support of the ISS,” said John Roth, vice president of business development for SNC’s Space Systems. “SNC has always been focused on creating a diverse portfolio of reliable products that our industry partners can count on. We’ve been supporting critical missions throughout the solar system for more than 25 years, and we’re proud to be continuously adding to that legacy.”
In addition to supporting Cygnus flights, SNC has also delivered a PCBM to NASA for the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM), a two-year technology demonstration on expandable space habitats. BEAM is scheduled to launch in 2016.
SNC’s Space Technologies product line offers a wide range of subsystems and components including launch adapters and separation systems, pointing systems and motion control, and electrical power systems that have flown on more than 400 missions. In addition to providing PCBMs for the Cygnus spacecraft, SNC’s wholly-owned subsidiary Orbital Technologies Corporation (ORBITEC) also developed and supplies Cygnus with the first-ever LED navigation lighting system.
About Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Space Systems
Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Space Systems business area based in Louisville, Colorado, designs and manufactures advanced spacecraft, space vehicles, rocket motors and spacecraft subsystems and components for the U.S. Government, commercial customers, as well as for the international market. SNC’s Space Systems has more than 25 years of space heritage and has participated in over 400 successful space missions through the delivery of over 4,000 systems, subsystems and components. During its history, SNC’s Space Systems has concluded over 70 programs for NASA and over 50 other clients.
About Sierra Nevada Corporation
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), headquartered in Sparks, Nevada, delivers technology and teams designed to connect and protect, through innovative solutions in aircraft, aerospace, electronics, cyber and avionics. With a track record of success spanning five decades, SNC has been honored as one of America’s fastest-growing private companies, “The Top Woman-owned Federal Contractor in the U.S.,” and is among “The World’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Space.” SNC and its subsidiaries and affiliates operate under the leadership of Owner & President Eren Ozmen and Owner & CEO Fatih Ozmen, with a workforce of nearly 3,000 personnel in 33 locations in 18 U.S. states, England, Germany and Turkey.
(source: Sierra Nevada Corporation)
