Sierra Nevada Corp. to support Orbital ATK's commercial resupply services

Sparks, Nevada – Sierra Nevada Corp.’s (SNC) Space Systems was recently awarded a contract to provide multiple Passive Common Berthing Mechanisms (PCBMs) by Special Aerospace Services (SAS) of Boulder, Colorado, for Orbital ATK’s Cygnus advanced maneuvering spacecraft in support of NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services 1 and 2 (CRS1, CRS2) programs. This contract follows a previous order with SNC resulting in the complete delivery of eight PCBM units in support of Orbital ATK’s CRS1 missions.

With the berthing of the OA-4 Cygnus spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) on Dec. 9, 2015, three SNC PCBM units have now flown and successfully berthed with the ISS. The PCBMs provide a sealed connection between Cygnus and the ISS, enabling delivery and removal of critical supplies.

“We are pleased to provide the berthing mechanism for Cygnus and aid in the continuous resupply and support of the ISS,” said John Roth, vice president of business development for SNC’s Space Systems. “SNC has always been focused on creating a diverse portfolio of reliable products that our industry partners can count on. We’ve been supporting critical missions throughout the solar system for more than 25 years, and we’re proud to be continuously adding to that legacy.”

In addition to supporting Cygnus flights, SNC has also delivered a PCBM to NASA for the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM), a two-year technology demonstration on expandable space habitats. BEAM is scheduled to launch in 2016.

SNC’s Space Technologies’ launch adapters and separation systems, pointing systems and motion control, and electrical power systems have flown on more than 400 missions. In addition to providing PCBMs for the Cygnus spacecraft, SNC’s wholly-owned subsidiary Orbital Technologies Corp. (ORBITEC) also developed and supplies Cygnus with the first-ever LED navigation lighting system.

Source: Sierra Nevada Corp.’s Space Systems