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Hamilton Sundstrand plays a key role in helping NASA prepare for the return to spaceflight

PARIS, France- Europe, Jun 12, 2005

As the U.S. Space Shuttle fleet prepares for its return to flight in July, employees at Hamilton Sundstrand's Space, Land & Sea business know that their work will soon be part of the Shuttle Discovery’s historic flight. In the last 28 months, Hamilton Sundstrand employees have spent several thousands of hours working on NASA Return to Flight (RTF) initiatives.

“We were responsible for three significant RTF initiatives requiring intense focus, commitment to tight deadlines, amazing levels of coordination and complex technical solutions,” said Edward Francis, vice president and general manager of Hamilton Sundstrand Space, Land & Sea (SLS).

The first effort involved replacing 20-year old Space Shuttle mechanical flight control systems that had performed flawlessly, but had exceeded their original design life expectancy. Few spare parts existed and many original suppliers were no longer active. SLS reconstructed the supplier base and then worked with suppliers and NASA to write engineering changes (as a result of improved manufacturing techniques) and expedite their approval. The parts were delivered on-schedule and within budget.

The second RTF initiative was a 15-month program in which the SLS team developed an ultrasonic inspection system and used it to inspect all Shuttle water spray boiler accumulators, bladders that hold water used to cool equipment during ascent and descent. Two accumulator parts showed damage and were replaced.

The third significant RTF activity will help astronauts inspect and repair damaged tiles when the Shuttle is in orbit and attached to the International Space Station. SLS developed a device to attach a motorized propulsion system directly to the space suit (Extravehicular Mobility Unit or EMU) so that astronauts can use both hands to perform tile repair. The team also developed a bracket that allows crew members to carry applicators filled with tile repair material.

Hamilton Sundstrand has been the prime contractor to NASA for the space suit since the Shuttle era began in 1981.

According to Dan Lee, general manager, SLS Human Space Systems, “Initially, the task seemed daunting; yet, through the innovation, drive, ownership and amazing effort of our employees and suppliers, we successfully met all of our customer deadlines and requirements."

Hamilton Sundstrand, a United Technologies Corporation (NYSE: UTX) subsidiary, is a leading supplier of aircraft systems and services and systems for space exploration and employs approximately 16,000 worldwide.

Contact:
Peg Hashem
Melissa Marsden
Chalet A, 404-414
1-41-697-800
Exhibit Stand: Hall 5, B19-20