Press Release

Teledyne Proudly Powers NASA’s Curiosity Rover

By SpaceRef Editor
August 6, 2012
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Teledyne Proudly Powers NASA’s Curiosity Rover

Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (TDY) announced today its most sincere congratulations to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) on the successful deployment of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) “Curiosity” rover in Gale Crater on Mars. Curiosity is the largest rover ever launched by NASA, and it will be used to determine whether Mars is, or ever has been, hospitable to microbial life.

Teledyne is also very proud of its contributions to the launch, landing, and operation of the mission. Teledyne developed the radioisotope thermoelectric generator system that provides nuclear power to the rover. Teledyne also supplied two complex radio frequency modules which were part of the terminal descent and landing unit. The company’s electromechanical relays and electromechanical transfer switches are used on the rover and the Atlas V launch vehicle, respectively. Finally, Teledyne DALSA manufactured the image sensors for Curiosity’s navigation and hazard avoidance cameras, just as it did for the prior Spirit and Opportunity rovers.

“It gives me great pride to be able to contribute to a project that poses such technical challenges and holds such promise for the advancement of science and knowledge,” said Robert Mehrabian, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Teledyne. “I am also delighted to see how many ways and in how many places Teledyne contributed. From the deepest parts of our planet’s oceans to the surface of Mars and beyond the edges of our solar system, Teledyne’s technologies enable exploration, analysis and communication.”

For more on the Mars Science Laboratory and Curiosity, visit http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/.

Teledyne Technologies is a leading provider of sophisticated instrumentation, digital imaging products and software, aerospace and defense electronics, and engineered systems. Teledyne Technologies’ operations are primarily located in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Mexico. For more information, visit Teledyne Technologies’ website at www.teledyne.com.

Contact:

Teledyne Technologies Incorporated
Investor Contact:
Jason VanWees, 805-373-4542
or
Media Contact:
Robyn McGowan, 805-373-4540

SpaceRef staff editor.