SPARKS, Nev., August 26, 2015 – Sierra Nevada Corporation’s (SNC) Space Systems congratulates the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) on the successful HTV-5 spacecraft cargo delivery to the International Space Station (ISS). The unmanned HTV-5 spacecraft, dubbed “Kounotori,” is the fifth H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) used to deliver supplies to the ISS. SNC is proud to have supplied Fast Acting Shockless Separation Nut (FASSN) devices which are critical to the smooth and reliable release of Exposed Cargo Pallet payloads from the Unpressurized Logistic Carrier portion of the spacecraft.
SNC has provided cargo hold-down and release systems to IHI Aerospace, the primary integrator of the HTV Exposed Cargo Pallet system, for more than 10 years. SNC’s FASSN devices use a shape memory alloy trigger instead of pyrotechnics, which gently releases spacecraft pallets in milliseconds – maintaining the integrity of sensitive cargo without creating any debris as a result of the low-shock separation. SNC’s FASSN devices are scaleable, reusable and require little to no refurbishment, making them essential to maintaining low-cost launch operations.
“The ISS is a strong global representation of successful partnerships between multiple international agencies,” said Mark N. Sirangelo, corporate vice president, SNC’s Space Systems. “In order to maintain long-term sustainability of ISS operations and crew, we need multiple launch providers to reliably provide transportation services. SNC has been a proud partner to JAXA for several years and we’d like to congratulate their entire HTV team on another successful cargo resupply delivery.”
For over 25 years, SNC’s Space Systems Space Technologies product line has been designing and manufacturing precision space mechanisms and complex spacecraft subsystems for a wide variety of space applications. As a result of our history of success—launching thousands of devices on hundreds of missions—and our expanding portfolio of products, SNC’s Space Technologies has become a supplier of choice within the aerospace industry.
Media Contact: CommunicationsFromSNC@sncorp.com or Betsy McDonald at 775-849-6435.
SNC’s FASSN device on Japan’s Kounotori resupply ship is installed to the Harmony module.
About SNC
SNC is a trusted global leader in aerospace and national security. Our innovative solutions enable connected protection through command, control and communications systems, as well as ISR, cyber, electromagnetic spectrum management, and other high capabilities for national security systems across all domains – sea, land, air, space and cyber. As a longstanding leader in defense technology, SNC is at the optimum intersection of commercial, defense and non-traditional contractors. We are one of the only privately owned mid-tier A&D contractors and we pride ourselves on our ability to invest early and often to ensure mission success on or ahead of schedule. It's part of our mission to always stay one step ahead; working on solutions today to solve the problems of tomorrow. Founded in 1963, SNC is owned by Chairwoman Eren Ozmen and CEO Fatih Ozmen.