Copernical Team
American Astronautical Society (AAS)
Formed in 1954, the American Astronautical Society (AAS) is an independent scientific and technical group in the United States dedicated to the advancement of space science and exploration. AAS supports NASA's Vision for Space Exploration and is a member of the Coalition for Space Exploration and the Space Exploration Alliance. The AAS also focuses on strengthening the global space program through cooperation with international space organizations.
AAS members include: engineers, scientists, administrators, institutions and corporations working in support of the nation's space activities, as well as military space specialists, physicians, lawyers, educators, historians, journalists, artists and other professionals.
The AAS has long been recognized for the excellence of its national meetings, symposia and publications as well as for the impact these have had on shaping the U.S. space program. Members have opportunities to meet with leaders in their field and in related disciplines, exchange information and ideas, discuss career aspirations and expand their horizons.
The AAS has materially aided the United States in addressing future challenges by sponsoring professional, scientific and engineering meetings and by maintaining an effective publications program. The strong and active participation of corporate members, together with the support of major elements of the space industry, have enabled the Society to remain at the forefront of advancing the astronautical sciences.
Clyde Space
Clyde Space is a supplier of small and micro spacecraft systems.
Clyde Space is specialised in high performance power subsystems, DC-DC Converters, lithium polymer batteries and high efficiency solar panels, typically for small satellite missions, and Attitude Control and Determination Systems.
Clyde Space is a CubeSat vendor, pioneered the CubeSat Shop, and is developing an advanced nanosatellite platform, aiming to be Scotland's first satellite, in conjunction with leading academic and commercial organisations.
Skylab
Skylab was a space station launched and operated by NASA (the space agency of the United States) and was the U.S.'s first space station.
Skylab orbited the Earth from 1973 to 1979, and included a workshop, a solar observatory, and other systems. It was launched unmanned by a modified Saturn V rocket, with a mass of 169,950 pounds (77 t). Three manned missions to the station, conducted between 1973 and 1974 using the Apollo Command/Service Module (CSM) atop the smaller Saturn IB, each delivered a three-astronaut crew. On the third mission, an additional Apollo / Saturn IB stood by, ready for launch if needed to rescue the crew in orbit.
Skylab included an Apollo Telescope Mount (a multi-spectral solar observatory), Multiple Docking Adapter with two docking ports, Airlock Module with EVA hatches, and the Orbital Workshop, the main habitable volume of the station. Power came from solar arrays, as well as fuel cells in the docked Apollo CSM. The rear of the station included a large waste tank, propellant tanks for maneuvering jets, and a heat radiator.
The station was damaged at launch when the micrometeoroid shield separated from the station and tore away, depriving the station of most of its power, removing protection from intense solar heating, and threatening to make the station unusable. The first crew was able to save it in the first ever in-space major repair, by deploying a replacement heat shade and freeing the single remaining, jammed main solar array.
Numerous scientific experiments were conducted aboard Skylab during its operational life, and crews were able to confirm the existence of coronal holes in the Sun. The Earth Resources Experiment Package (EREP), was used to view the Earth with sensors that recorded data in the visible, infrared, and microwave spectral regions. Thousands of photographs of Earth were taken, and records for human time spent in orbit were extended.
Plans were made to refurbish and reuse Skylab, using the Space Shuttle to boost its orbit and repair it. However, development of the Shuttle was delayed, and Skylab reentered Earth's atmosphere and disintegrated in 1979, with debris striking portions of Western Australia.
Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC)
The George C. Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is the U.S. government's civilian rocketry and spacecraft propulsion research center. It is the largest center of NASA.
MSFC's first mission was developing the Saturn launch vehicles for the Apollo moon program. Marshall is today the agency's lead center for Space Shuttle propulsion and its external tank; payloads and related crew training; International Space Station (ISS) design and assembly; and computers, networks, and information management. Located on the Redstone Arsenal near Huntsville, Alabama, MSFC is named in honor of General of the Army George Marshall.
The center also contains the Huntsville Operations Support Center (HOSC), a facility that supports Space Shuttle launch, payload and experiment activities at the Kennedy Space Center, ISS launch and experiment operations. The HOSC also monitors rocket launches from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station when a Marshall Center payload is on board.
Mitsubishi Electric Corp.
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation is a Japanese multinational electronics and electrical equipments manufacturing company headquartered inTokyo, Japan. It is one of the core companies of the Mitsubishi Group.
Mitsubishi Electric manufacture electric and architectural equipment. It is as well as a major worldwide producer of photovoltaic panels. The Corporation was established on 15 January 1921.
Mitsubishi Electric's space technology includes the production and implementation of satellites, satellite components, and ground systems. Also, Mitsubishi Electric is the only company in Japan that can manufacture satellites from designing to assembling and testing. Mitsubishi Electric own satellite production facilities including a space chamber, antenna test range, acoustic chamber, and vibration table. As well Mitsubishi Electric excel in the solar array panel, heat pipe panel, Li-ion battery, and ground station system technologies that make satellites practical to own and operate.
SAFRAN Snecma
Snecma S.A. is a French multinational aircraft and rocket engine manufacturer.
Alone or in partnership, Snecma designs, develops, produces and markets engines for civil and military aircraft, launch vehicles and satellites. The company also offers a complete range of engine support services to airlines, armed forces and other operators. Snecma is a subsidiary of the SAFRAN Group.
Haigh-Farr Inc.
Haigh-Farr provides the space industry with antennas for launch telemetry, tracking and flight termination, as well as operational communications with research, defense and communication spacecraft.
Haigh-Farr was established in 1969 as a consulting, research, development and manufacturing company, with expertise in the area of antennas and RF propagation for aerospace vehicles. Haigh-Farr pioneered the Wraparound™ antenna concept whose versatility and compactness have enhanced performance capabilities of aircraft, missiles and spacecraft worldwide.
Dragon (spacecraft)
Dragon is a partially reusable spacecraft developed by the company SpaceX.
Dragon is launched into space by the SpaceX Falcon 9 two-stage-to-orbit launch vehicle. During its uncrewed maiden flight in December 2010, Dragon became the first commercially built and operated spacecraft to be recovered successfully from orbit. On 25 May 2012, an uncrewed variant of Dragon became the first commercial spacecraft to successfully rendezvous and be attached to the International Space Station (ISS).
Reliable System Services Corp. (RSS)
Reliable System Services Corp. provides solutions in areas of Wireless Data Links, System Design, Hardware Design, System Integration and Link/Network Management Software.
RSS has developed a portfolio of technical projects and products, from complete turnkey systems to custom box-level products. RSS has provided customized technical solutions as a prime contractor. It was founded in 1986 with the goal of providing custom technical solutions to the DoD.
SAFRAN
Safran S.A. is a French multinational aircraft & rocket engine, aerospace component and security company.
It was formed by a merger between the aircraft & rocket engine manufacturer and aerospace component manufacturer group SNECMA and the security company SAGEM in 2005. Its headquarters are located in Paris.