SpaceX Utilizes Cooper Interconnect Non-Explosive Actuators on Second Dragon Flight
Cooper Interconnect, a unit of power management company Eaton, today announced that Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) is utilizing its non-explosive actuators on the second flight of the Dragon Spacecraft. The March 1, 2013, launch utilized a Falcon 9 rocket and was part of a NASA commercial contract to resupply the International Space Station.
Cooper Interconnect’s non-explosive actuators were also used on the Dragon’s first flight last May. Applications in both missions include nose-cone deployment, release of the trunk before re-entry into the atmosphere, opening of the main-parachute door before splashdown, and the contingent release of the heat rejection system radiator grapple bars. Grapple-bar release was not required on the first flight but was needed on the second mission.
“We are proud to have been selected to provide non-explosive actuators for both SpaceX Dragon flights,” said Peter Milstead, Cooper Interconnect’s director of marketing for military and aerospace products. “The Dragon made history last May as the first commercial vehicle to dock to the International Space Station. Mission objectives for the second flight include delivering over 2,300 pounds of cargo under NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program.”
Non-Explosive Actuator (NEA) solutions provided by Cooper Interconnect include bypass switches, cable releases, pin pullers, separation nuts, tension releases and flight-termination systems. For more information, please visit www.cooperinterconnect.com.
Cooper Interconnect is a business unit of Cooper Wiring Devices, part of the electrical business of Eaton. Eaton acquired Cooper Industries plc in late 2012. Cooper Wiring Devices, a trusted name in electrical products, features Arrow Hart commercial and industrial solutions, CORE Lighting Controls, residential wiring devices and Cooper Interconnect industrial, military, aerospace, and subsea connectivity solutions. Cooper Wiring Devices is committed to providing products that increase productivity, energy efficiency, safety at work and in the home, and provide reliable performance. Cooper Interconnect, part of the wiring devices package, leads in the manufacture of sophisticated interconnect solutions for demanding environments and features well-known brands such as G&H, WPI, Burton, General Connector brands, Cam-Lok, and Thorkom. For more information on Cooper Wiring Devices visit www.cooperwiringdevices.com. For information about Eaton, visit www.eaton.com.
Contact:
Cooper Interconnect
Dennis Brondi, 805-389-5718
dennis.brondi@cooperindustries.com
