Curtiss-Wright data acquisition units support SLS test data collection goal
ASHBURN, Va. – April 6, 2021 -- Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions division today announced that during NASA’s recent Space Launch System (SLS) Core Stage Green Run Hot Fire test, the multiple Curtiss-Wright data acquisition and encoding units (DAU) installed on the Core Stage Section of SLS Launch Vehicle performed fully as designed to capture test data.
NASA’s SLS is a super-heavy-lift launch vehicle that provides the foundation for human exploration beyond Earth’s orbit. With its unprecedented power and capabilities, SLS is the only rocket that can send the Orion Spacecraft, astronauts, and cargo to the Moon on a single mission. Offering more payload mass, volume capability, and energy, SLS is designed to be flexible and evolvable and will open new possibilities for payloads, including robotic scientific missions to places like the Moon, Mars, Saturn, and Jupiter.
“As a proud supplier to NASA’s Space Launch System, the first deep space rocket built for human space travel since the Saturn V, we are pleased that our well proven space data acquisition technology are utilized to capture the critical data required to support the development of this historic space vehicle,” said Chris Wiltsey, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Defense Solutions division. “It’s an honor to be part of the team helping to usher in the next generation of American space travel and preparing to launch NASA astronauts on missions to deep space. With Curtiss-Wright’s long legacy as an aviation and aerospace innovator, starting with the Wright Brothers and Glenn Curtiss, we are especially excited to participate in this important and exciting program to return Americans to the moon and later on to Mars.”
Curtiss-Wright is working with NASA and aerospace leaders to return Americans to the Moon and send astronauts to Mars in the early 2030s. With suppliers in all 50 states, NASA’s journey to deep space is a national effort. This year marks the final integration and testing of the rocket and spacecraft leading up to the first launch to the Moon late this year.
About Curtiss-Wright’s Space Solutions
Curtiss-Wright is the leading provider of data acquisition products for Space Commercial-off-the-Shelf (COTS) and radiation tolerant COTS applications. By combining COTS savings with innovative radiation tolerant strategies, trusted systems can be built that meet the needs of the mission at a significantly lower cost. The use of Curtiss-Wright’s Smart Backplane™ design enables system developers to meet their Mission Assurance requirements without the high NRE and costs associated with radiation hardened designs. Additionally, custom data acquisition modules can help lower weight by removing the need for separate avionics boxes, while the ability to turn modules on and off enables power budgets to be managed more efficiently. Curtiss-Wright’s Space COTS approach is proven on multiple Space applications including EASA Vega-C, NASA Orion SLS & CRV, Boeing CST-100, SpaceX Falcon 9 and Dragon, ESA IXV and ULA Delta V.
About Curtiss-Wright Corporation
Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW) is a global innovative company that delivers highly engineered, critical function products and services to the commercial, industrial, defense and energy markets. Building on the heritage of Glenn Curtiss and the Wright brothers, Curtiss-Wright has a long tradition of providing reliable solutions through trusted customer relationships. The company is headquartered in Davidson, N.C. and employs approximately 8,200 people worldwide. For more information, visit www.curtisswright.com.
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