NASA | Gear Technology Magazine

Solar Atmospheres Vacuum Heat Treats Titanium Manifold for Artemis 1 Mission

November 23, 2022

For the 2014 Orion launch, NASA introduced the Launch Abort System (LAS). This large manifold housing made from 6AL-4V titanium is designed to rapidly propel astronauts away from the main rocket in case of a catastrophic explosion or any other unexpected event. Once fired, the LAS will accelerate the astronauts away from the main rocket at forces up to 10 to 15 times normal gravity (“G’s”). This critical part of the safety system was once again vacuum heat treated by Solar Atmospheres of Western PA for their most recent launch.

Industry News

May 1, 2019

The complete Industry News section from the May 2019 issue of Gear Technology.

Test Facility Simulation Results for Aerospace Loss-of-Lubrication of Spur Gears

June 1, 2015

Prior to receiving airworthiness certification, extensive testing is required during the development of rotary wing aircraft drive systems. Many of these tests are conducted to demonstrate the drive system’s ability to operate at extreme conditions, i.e. — beyond that called for in the normal to maximum power operating range.

3-D Printing: We Ain't Seen Nothing Yet

March 1, 2015

Jack McGuinn

NASA is now 3-D-printing spare parts up at the ISS (International Space Station). And in zero-gravity environments. And some of these parts are small gears and actuators, for starters. Every indication is that the list of power transmission-type parts to be converted will soon grow.

Leading by Example - Remember When

September 1, 2014

Charles D. Schultz

In January of this year we at Gear Technology got hip to the fact-in un-hip, belated fashion - that we needed a Blog Site and someone to do the blogging. Lucky for us, we already had that someone right here - in plain sight. That someone was Charles D. Schultz, P.E.

Sally Ride Science: Creativity, Collaboration and Fun

August 1, 2014

Sally Ride Science will be featured at IMTS 2014.

One Small Step Towards Mars

July 1, 2014

In the June issue of our sister publication -- Power Transmission Engineering -- the Power Play feature (Destination Mars! -- pg. 64) was devoted to NASA’s Mars-oriented LDSD (Low Density Supersonic Decelerator) project...

Aerospace Gearing Research - An Update

June 1, 2009

Jack McGuinn

A look at several American organizations doing cutting edge gear-related research for aerospace applications.

SARJ Repairs Show Promise for Space Station Solar Power

January 1, 2009

Much has happened since we last reported on the malfunctioning solar array rotary joint (SARJ) attached to the International Space Station. Space shuttle Endeavour dropped in for a two-week visit in November during which repairs were made and invaluable data collected.

NASA Gets Down and Dirty for SARJ Solution

September 1, 2008

Jack McGuinn

For more than 10 months, NASA ground engineers and International Space Station (ISS) astronauts have been struggling with a perplexing malfunction of one of the station’s two solar array rotary joints (SARJ).