750 West Ventura Blvd.
Camarillo, CA 93010
Phone: (805) 389-5718
www.cooperinterconnect.com
News Release
Contact:
Dennis Brondi
(805) 389-5718
dennis.brondi@cooperindustries.com
SpaceX Dragon Utilizes
Cooper Interconnect Non-Explosive Actuators
Camarillo, CA – July 17th, 2012 – Cooper Interconnect, a leading manufacturer of
interconnect solutions, today announced that Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) utilized
Cooper Interconnect non-explosive actuators on the Dragon Spacecraft to support the mission
to become the first commercial vehicle in history to attach to the International Space Station.
Non-explosive actuators enable containment and release of hardware during different phases of
a space mission. Typical spacecraft applications include deployment of covers to expose
docking collars, unfolding of antenna and solar-power arrays, and opening parachutes.
The Dragon launched on May 22nd; attached to the International Space Station on May 25th; and
splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on May 31st. The Dragon spacecraft is comprised of three
main elements: a nose cone, a pressurized capsule, and an unpressurized cargo trunk.
The non-explosive actuators were installed on the Dragon capsule to facilitate a broad range of
mission-critical functionality including nose-cone deployment needed to expose the docking
adapter, release of the trunk before re-entry into the atmosphere, opening of the mainparachute door before splashdown and for the contingency flight release of the grapple fixture
that was not required in this mission.
“Cooper Interconnect is proud to have attained a 100 percent success rate with our nonexplosive actuators during the historic mission to dock the first commercial spacecraft to the
International Space Station,” said Peter Milstead, Cooper Interconnect’s director of marketing
for military and aerospace products. “This challenging mission is especially impressive as it has
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previously only been accomplished with the government resources of the United States, Russia,
Japan, and the European Space Agency.”
Non-Explosive Actuator (NEA) solutions provided by Cooper Interconnect include: bypass
switches, cable releases, pin pullers, separation nuts, tension releases, and flight-termination
systems. For more information, please visit www.cooperinterconnect.com.
About Cooper Interconnect
Cooper Interconnect, a Cooper Wiring Devices’ business unit, is a leading manufacturer of
sophisticated interconnect solutions for demanding environments and features well-known
brands such as G&H, WPI, Burton, General Connector brands, Cam-Lok, and Thorkom. A
subsidiary of Cooper Industries plc (NYSE: CBE), Cooper Wiring Devices is headquartered in
Peachtree City, GA with international manufacturing and distribution facilities. For more
information on Cooper Interconnect visit www.cooperinterconnect.com.
Cooper Wiring Devices, a trusted name in electrical products, features Arrow Hart commercial
and industrial solutions, CORE Lighting Controls, residential wiring devices and Cooper
Interconnect industrial, military, aerospace, and subsea connectivity solutions. Cooper Wiring
Devices is committed to providing products that increase productivity, energy efficiency, safety
at work and in the home, and provide reliable performance.
About Cooper Industries
Cooper Industries plc (NYSE: CBE) is a global electrical products manufacturer with 2011
revenues of $5.4 billion. Founded in 1833 Cooper's sustained success is attributable to a
constant focus on innovation and evolving business practices, while maintaining the highest
ethical standards and meeting customer needs. The Company has seven operating divisions
with leading market positions and world-class products and brands, including Bussmann
electrical and electronic fuses; Crouse-Hinds and CEAG explosion-proof electrical equipment;
Halo and Metalux lighting fixtures; and Kyle and McGraw-Edison power systems products.
With this broad range of products, Cooper is uniquely positioned for several long-term growth
trends including the global infrastructure build-out, the need to improve the reliability and
productivity of the electric grid, the demand for higher energy-efficient products and the need
for improved electrical safety. In 2011 sixty-two percent of total sales were to customers in
the industrial and utility end-markets and forty percent of total sales were to customers outside
the United States. Cooper has manufacturing facilities in 23 countries as of 2011. For more
information, visit the website at www.cooperindustries.com.
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