TFC springs into space
A
TFC Europe product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Sep 3, 2008
TFC has announced that one of its Smalley springs has been used in the latest Phoenix Mars Lander mission.
The Smalley springs have been used within the protective backshell of the craft.
They were chosen due to their ability to function in harsh environments and to endure the rigors of the terrain.
While many TFC products have been used in a variety of difficult environments under testing conditions this is the first time that they have been used on a mission in space.
The 420-million-mile mission launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on a Delta II rocket will determine whether icy ground near the planet's North Pole could ever have supported life.
This is the first mission to the planets Polar Regions.
It is also the first successful powered-descent landing in over 30 years since the Viking 1 and 2 landings in 1975 and 1976.
NASA's Phoenix Lander craft was designed and built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems using the latest technology and the most endurable components that would see the landing craft separate from the 250-tonne Delta II rocket to land on the surface of Mars.
The Smalley springs have a proven track record of performing well in the aeronautical and oil industries along with a host of other industry applications.
TFC say that the design and manufacture of the spring provides a much reduced footprint against traditional coil springs, offering a lighter, high-performance product.
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