Space

Hamilton Sundstrand Power Transfer Unit enables extended shuttle docking time

Contact:

Hamilton Sundstrand
Dan Coulom
860-654-3469

Leo Makowski
860-654-9240

Windsor Locks, USA- North America, Connecticut, Aug 9, 2007

Hamilton Sundstrand Rocketdyne, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX), has developed the Power Transfer Unit converter system for NASA's Station-to-Shuttle Power Transfer System that will be activated during the 11-day STS-118 mission, which launched Wednesday evening, Aug 8.

By using power collected from solar rays, the Station-to-Shuttle Power Transfer System will reduce the load on orbiter fuel cells and enable the shuttle to stay on-orbit for additional days, thereby increasing the crew time available for scientific experiments, extra vehicular activities and remaining International Space Station assembly tasks.

Traditionally, the shuttle fleet can transfer power from a 28-volt dc system to a 120-volt dc system. The Power Transfer Unit makes the reverse possible: the station can transfer up to 8 kilowatts of 28-volt dc power back to the shuttle. The converters will be controlled by the shuttle crew via commands from the cockpit, or by ground controllers, when necessary.

"Just as earth-bound travelers need power converters due to differences in voltage levels in various countries, the shuttle and International Space Station need a power converter system because each operates on different voltage levels," said Andy Sellin, Power Transfer Unit program manager.

"Our Power Transfer Unit replaces the traditional shuttle conversion unit, and adds two 120-to-28 volt 2-kilowatt converter modules, without additional weight or volume and without requiring changes to the shuttle's cooling system."

The Power Transfer Unit is designed and built by Hamilton Sundstrand Rocketdyne, based in Canoga Park, Calif. Rocketdyne became part of Hamilton Sundstrand and Pratt & Whitney in 2005, when United Technologies Corp. acquired the company from Boeing.

Among the crew members launched into orbit on Wednesday evening is Rick Mastracchio, the first and only astronaut to have once worked for Hamilton Sundstrand. A Waterbury, Conn., native, Mastracchio worked as an engineer in Hamilton Sundstrand's system design group from 1982 to 1987. While at Hamilton Sundstrand, he participated in the development of high performance, strapped-down inertial measurement units and flight control computers. During STS-118's 11-day mission, Mastracchio will wear his former company's spacesuit as he takes part in each of the mission's three scheduled spacewalks, which will be his first on-orbit.

Hamilton Sundstrand, a partner in America's space program since its inception, provides a number of systems for the International Space Station, including those that control electrical power and process water, waste and air. Hamilton Sundstrand has been the prime contractor to NASA for the space suit since the shuttle era began in 1981.

Other United Technologies companies play a major role in America's space program as well. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne supplies the three main engines that power the space shuttle into orbit. The Space Shuttle Main Engines are the world's only re-usable large rocket engines and also the most efficient ever produced. Each engine can generate a maximum thrust level over 513,000 pounds, or approximately 12 million horsepower. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is one of the pioneers of the American space program.

UTC Power has supplied fuel cells for the U.S. space program since the 1960s, and continues to provide three 12-kilowatt fuel cells that generate all onboard electrical power for each orbiter. Backup batteries are not needed, and the water produced by the electrochemical reaction in the fuel cells is used for crew drinking and spacecraft cooling. Thus far, shuttle fuel cells have accumulated more than 96,000 hours of operation.

With 2006 revenues of $5 billion, Hamilton Sundstrand employs approximately 17,500 people worldwide and is headquartered in Windsor Locks, Conn. In addition to its space business, it is among the world's largest suppliers of technologically advanced aerospace and industrial products. The company also designs, manufactures and services aerospace systems and provides integrated system solutions for commercial, regional, corporate and military aircraft.

United Technologies Corp., of Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.

This release includes "forward looking statements" concerning expected revenue and other matters that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in forward looking statements include the health of the global economy and the strength of end market demand in the aerospace industry; and company specific items including the ability to achieve cost reductions at planned levels; challenges in the design, development, production and support of advanced technologies and new products; and delays and disruption in delivery of materials and services from suppliers;. For information identifying other important economic, political, regulatory, legal, technological, competitive and other uncertainties, see UTC's SEC filings as submitted from time to time, including but not limited to, the information included in UTC's 10-K and 10-Q Reports under the headings "Business," "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Cautionary Note Concerning Factors that May Affect Future Results," as well as the information included in UTC's Current Reports on Form 8-K.