Sierra Nevada Corporation's Descent Brake Will Help Land NASA's MSL
Sparks, NV - Sierra Nevada Corporation's (SNC) Space Systems business area headquartered in Louisville, Colorado, is once again playing a critical role in a NASA mission to Mars. NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL), launched November 26th, built by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, will rely on the SNC built Descent Brake to gently lower the 2,000 pound rover to the planet's surface. Once there, this nuclear powered robotic geologist will use Sierra Nevada's gear technology, similar to what was used on the smaller Spirit and Opportunity rovers, to gather soil samples and process them into the different instruments for analysis. This will be the first use of a "soft rover landing" technique for a Mars landing. The sheer mass of Mars Science Laboratory prevents engineers from using the familiar airbags to deliver the rover safely to the Martian surface. So, to accommodate this advanced mission, engineers developed a sky-crane method that will lower the rover to the surface. A bridle and "umbilical cord" will lower the rover to the ground. During the lowering, the rover's front mobility system will be deployed so that it is essentially ready to rove upon landing in early August 2012. When the on-board computer senses that touchdown is successful, it will cut the bridle. The descent stage then pitches away from the rover and powers away at full throttle to a crash-landing far from the rover. MSL represents SNC's 11th mission to the red planet.
About Sierra Nevada Corporation
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) is one of America's fastest growing private companies based on its significant expansion and reputation for rapid, innovative, and agile technology solutions in electronics, aerospace, avionics, space, propulsion, micro-satellite, aircraft, communications systems and solar energy. Under the leadership of CEO Fatih Ozmen and President and CFO Eren Ozmen, SNC employs over 2100 people in 31 locations in 16 states. SNC's seven unique business areas are dedicated to providing leading-edge solutions to SNC's dynamic customer base.
SNC is also the Top Woman-Owned Federal Contractor in the United States. Over the last 30 years under the Ozmen's leadership, SNC has remained focused on providing its customers the very best in diversified technologies to meet their needs and has a strong and proven track record of success. The company continues to focus its growth on the commercial sector through internal advancements and outside acquisitions, including the emerging markets of renewable energy, telemedicine, nanotechnology, cyber and net-centric operations. For more information on SNC visit www.sncorp.com.
MEDIA CONTACT: generalinfo@sncorp.com or 775-331-0222
About Sierra Nevada Corporation's Space Systems
Sierra Nevada Corporation's Space Systems business area headquartered in Louisville, Colorado, designs and manufactures advanced spacecraft, space vehicles, and spacecraft subsystems for commercial and government customers. Space Systems (SS) has more than 20 years heritage in space, successfully delivering over 400 subsystems for 300+ satellite missions. Current key programs include NASA's Commercial Crew Development program where we are developing our Dream Chaser® 7 passenger vehicle to take astronauts to the International Space Station; the ORBCOMM Generation 2 program that includes production of 18-48 small satellites for a commercial asset tracking company; the SpaceShip2 program where we are developing a non-toxic "green" rocket engine for Virgin Galactic's suborbital space vehicle to carry tourists to space; and the Modular Space Vehicle program for the DoD's Operationally Responsive Space Office. For more information about SS visit www.sncspace.com.
MEDIA CONTACT: media.ssg@sncorp.com or 720-407-3192
For more information, including images and video, please visit our website at:
http://www.sncspace.com/gallery.php?gallery_type=images.
