Houston company to supply Contact Sensor Push Rod for upcoming rover mission

HOUSTON, TX, May x, 2007 – Spring Engineers of Houston, Ltd. announced today that another of its coil springs will participate in an intergalactic mission, this time as part of the Mars Science Laboratory scheduled to launch in the fall of 2009. A Spring Engineers-manufactured coil sensor rod, mounted to the instrument deployment device on NASA’s Spirit and Opportunity Mars rovers, is currently on Mars and has been actively contributing to the exploration of the red planet since 2004.

The new spring, commissioned by a leading provider of aerospace robotics applications, will be mounted to the microscopic imager (MI) located on the Mars Science Laboratory’s robotic arm. Like its predecessor, this spring will function as a multi-purpose contact sensor with essential responsibilities that include detecting rocks and other hard surfaces, ensuring accurate arm positioning, and protecting the MI from accidental damage.

When optimally positioned near targeted sites on the Martian surface, the MI—a combination of a microscope and a camera—will provide extremely detailed information about the small-scale features of Martian rocks and soils.

With the aid of sophisticated new technologies, the Mars Science Laboratory will analyze these images and dozens of collected samples to study the planet’s geology and climate, and will ultimately assess whether Mars is or has ever been an environment capable of supporting microbial life. In other words, the Mars Science Laboratory hopes to determine the planet’s habitability.

Spring Engineers is excited to be involved with the mission, and proud to supply a component of the largest, most technically advanced assembly of instruments ever sent to the Martian surface. The considerable expense and effort required to deliver these instruments to Mars, and the harsh environment that will then threaten their continued survival, demand that the Mars Science Laboratory be operated as efficiently as possible. Spring Engineers is confident that its sensor will be a critical part of efficient mission operations.

About Spring Engineers of Houston, Ltd: Begun in 1966 as a quality-focused spring manufacturer, Spring Engineers has evolved into a full-service provider of complete spring and wire-form solutions. From a base that now includes six divisions, each with unique metalworking capabilities supporting sales in domestic and international markets, Spring Engineers continues to pioneer the field in innovative designs and precision production.

Contact:
Ken Penske / 800.899.9488
Email: KPenske@springhouston.com
http://www.springhouston.com