Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International Supports International Space Station

In October 1995, Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International (HSSSI), partly owned by SCOA, made headlines when their space suits passed underwater testing by the Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). HSSSI's space suits were used by NASA for space shuttle launches, and are extremely important to the Japanese space program. JAXA will be using these suits to complete Japan's portion of the International Space Station (ISS), which is scheduled for completion in 2003.

A contract with JAXA for a Weightless Environmental Test System Extravehicular Mobility Unit (WETS EMU) was awarded to HSSSI in July 1996.

HSSSI expects delivery of the suit by the end of February 1998, with maintenance and operation training programs scheduled in 1997 and 1998. HSSSI, located in Windsor Locks, Conn., first approached JAXA in 1980 along with SC and SCOA and opened space-related business discussions. SC and SCOA also invested in HSSSI stock in 1994, when HSSSI became a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation.

Sumitomo and HSSSI also provide technical assistance to Japanese heavy industrial companies for the further development of ISS. This support has enabled customers to be knowledgeable about requirements and space hardware configurations.

NASDA used HSSSI WETS EMUs to evaluate their WETS facilities. Divers assist the suit subject as EVA activities are simulated in a weightless environment, according to Takashi Sawai, Assistant to GM., Aerospace Division and a member of the Business Development team in HSSSI.

"HSSSI has received contracts from JAXA in support of their WETS facility activities including the leasing of WETS space suits, delivery of EVA tools, technical assistance of WETS utilization planning activities, as well as diver and suit subject training," Sawai said.

As the prime contractor to NASA for the EMUs presently used by U.S. Shuttle astronauts who conduct space walks, HSSSI's services were desirable to Japan. HSSSI has a long affiliation with NASA dating back to the 1960's when it designed and developed the Lunar Module environmental control and life support systems, and the Portable Life Support System (PLSS) used by the Apollo astronauts, who walked on the moon.

"The EMU will be utilized for the assembly and maintenance of the Japanese Experiment Module (a section of ISS), and NASDA will use the same ISS configuration suits in support of their testing in the WETS facility," Sawai said.

In addition to the JAXA activities, HSSSI is the prime contractor to NASA for the EMU and provides Environmental Control/Life Support Systems (ECLSS) of the Shuttle. Also, HSSSI has numerous contracts for the development of environmental control, thermal and humidity control and life support systems for U.S., Japanese and European customers of the ISS program. The hardware consists of subsystems such as the Portable Water Processor and Waste Management System, as well as assemblies and components such as fans, heat exchangers, pumps, valves and various mechanical and electrical components.

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