Wyle Expedited Critical Test of Flight Hardware for SpaceX’s Successful July 13 Falcon 1 Launch
Test engineers at Wyle Laboratories expedited a series of critical vibration tests to support a July 13, 2009, launch of SpaceX’s Falcon 1 launch vehicle, which successfully delivered to orbit the RazakSAT satellite for ATSB (Malaysia).
Prior to launch, SpaceX engineers implemented a vibration isolation system which required testing in advance of flight. Wyle test engineers performed the testing in accordance with the aggressive timeline to support an on-schedule launch.
“Wyle’s support was critical to meeting our desired launch schedule,” said Brian Bjelde, SpaceX’s Falcon 1 product director. “In the commercial spaceflight industry, fast turnarounds are extremely important — the Wyle team clearly understands the importance of this and we appreciate their exceptional responsiveness.”
Liftoff of SpaceX’s Falcon 1 rocket, a two-stage, liquid oxygen/rocket-grade kerosene vehicle, occurred from SpaceX’s launch site on Omelek Island, approximately 2,500 miles southwest of Hawaii, part of the Reagan Test Site at United States Army Kwajalein Atoll. The rocket successfully delivered the RazakSAT satellite to the correct orbit, where it will provide high resolution images of Malaysia that can be applied to land management, resource development and conservation, forestry and fish migration.
Wyle has been providing third-party qualification testing services to SpaceX for several years. As one of the world’s most experienced environmental simulation companies, Wyle has been involved in nearly every significant space program in the U.S., including Apollo, Space Shuttle and the International Space Station.
Wyle, a privately held company, is a leading provider of high tech aerospace engineering and information technology services to the federal government on long-term outsourcing contracts. The company also provides science and medical services for NASA’s astronaut corps; test and evaluation of aircraft, weapon systems, networks, and other government assets; and other engineering services to the aerospace, defense, nuclear power and commercial industries.
Contact:
Dan Reeder
(310) 563-6834
Ref.: NR/09-17
