December 9, 2006
Invocon on STS-116
Space Shuttle Discovery on STS-116 launched today carrying three different Invocon systems. This mission is the second of the ISS construction missions since the beginning of the Return to Flight effort.
This is the twenty-third shuttle mission to utilize Invocon systems. For this mission, Invocon systems have been used throughout the Shuttle preparations and launch.
STS-116 was the fourth flight of the Enhanced WB MicroTAU-WLE (Enhanced Wide-Band Micro-Miniature Tri-Axial Accelerometer Units for the Wing Leading Edge) system. This system was developed to detect impacts along the leading edge of the orbiter wings during ascent. The Enhanced WB MicroTAU-WLE system will also be used during the mission to detect Micro-Meteroids and Orbital Debris (MM/OD) impacts.
Additionally, the MicroSGU™ (Micro-Miniature Strain Gauge Unit) system is being used to monitor the stresses on the trunnions of the Orbiter main engines during launch. The collected data will be used to help NASA validate safety margins in order to extend the life of the orbiter.
Finally, as part of the ISS construction during this mission, the P5 Truss will be attached to the ISS. With the installation of the truss, the second piece of the External Wireless Instrumentation System (EWIS) will be installed on the ISS. The EWIS Remote Sensor Unit (RSU) will begin collecting vibration data which will be downloaded from the unit when the EWIS Network Control Unit (NCU) is transported to the ISS in a future mission. The vibration data collected is essential for ensuring the health of the solar arrays.
Click here for more mission details
September 2006
INVOCON Recognized by Industry for Technology Innovation
INVOCON, Inc. was recently notified by the Small Business Technology Council (SBTC), a council organization of the National Small Business Association, that the company is a recipient of the Tibbetts Award. This award is given to small businesses who have distinguished themselves through their achievements in the US Government’s Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Program. Specifically, awards are judged on the economic impact of technological innovation, business achievement and effective collaborations, and demonstrated state and regional impact and proven support.
September 9, 2006
Invocon on STS-115
Space Shuttle Atlantis on STS-115 launched today carrying three different Invocon systems. This mission is the first of the ISS construction missions since the beginning of the Return to Flight effort.
This is the twenty-second shuttle mission to utilize Invocon systems. For this mission, Invocon systems have been used throughout the Shuttle preparations and launch.
During the rollout of STS-115 from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to the launch pad, NASA utilized the Enhanced WB MicroTAU for Rollout (Enhanced Wide-Band Micro-Miniature Tri-Axial Accelerometer Unit for Roll-out). This system was developed to monitor the vibrations experienced by the orbiter as it is transferred to the launch pad. Prior to launch this system is removed from the orbiter.
STS-115 was the third flight of the Enhanced WB MicroTAU-WLE (Enhanced Wide-Band Micro-Miniature Tri-Axial Accelerometer Units for the Wing Leading Edge) system. This system which was developed to detect impacts along the leading edge of the orbiter wings during ascent. The Enhanced WB MicroTAU-WLE system will also be used during the mission to detect Micro-Meteroids and Orbital Debris (MM/OD) impacts.
Additionally, the MicroSGU™ (Micro-Miniature Strain Gauge Unit) system is being used to monitor the stresses on the trunnions of the Orbiter main engines during launch. The collected data will be used to help NASA validate safety margins in order to extend the life of the orbiter.
Finally, as part of the ISS construction during this mission, the P3/P4 Truss will be attached to the ISS. With the installation of the truss, the first piece of the External Wireless Instrumentation System (EWIS) will be installed on the ISS. The EWIS Remote Sensor Unit (RSU) will begin collecting vibration data which will be downloaded from the unit when the EWIS Network Control Unit (NCU) is transported to the ISS in a future mission. The vibration data collected is essential for ensuring the health of the solar arrays.
Click here for more mission details
July 4, 2006
Invocon on STS-121
Space Shuttle Discovery on STS-121 launched today carrying four different Invocon systems. This mission is the second of the Return to Flight missions that NASA had scheduled for the Shuttle program and represents the twenty-first shuttle mission to utilize Invocon systems. As a part of STS-121 the crew will continue to test the Enhanced WB MicroTAU-WLE (Enhanced Wide-Band Micro-Miniature Tri-Axial Accelerometer Units for the Wing Leading Edge) system along with other systems developed to support the Return to Flight initiatives.
Two new IVC systems will be utilized during the STS-121 mission, WSGIS and IWIF-WIS.
- WSGIS (Wireless Strain Gage Instrumentation System) will be used to monitor the strain experienced at the Orbiter Arm’s shoulders and elbows during operation. This system is required due to the additional stresses caused by the extensions required for inspecting the orbiter surfaces.
- IWIF-WIS (Instrumented Worksite Interface Fixture – Wireless Instrumentation System) will be used as a load cell on the work platform attached at the end of the Orbiter Arm. This is used to monitor the stresses experienced at the worksite fixture, which holds an astronaut during orbiter inspections.
The ultimate goal of these systems is to ensure the safety of the orbiter and its crew during the orbiter inspection process.
Additionally, this is the second flight of the Enhanced WB MicroTAU-WLE (Enhanced Wide-Band Micro-Miniature Tri-Axial Accelerometer Units for the Wing Leading Edge) system, which was developed to monitor for impacts along the leading edge of the orbiter wing during ascent. The Enhanced WB MicroTAU-WLE system will also be used during the mission to monitor for Micro-Meteroids and Orbital Debris (MM/OD) impacts.
Finally, the MicroSGU™ (Micro-Miniature Strain Gauge Unit) system is being used to monitor the stresses on the trunnions of the Orbiter main engines during launch. The collected data will be used to help NASA validate safety margins in order to extend the life of the orbiter.