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Goodrich Sensor On Board Historic Space Shuttle Launch to Hubble Telescope

Posted on: Monday, 11 May 2009, 13:28 CDT

- Fine guidance sensor helps extend scientific and operational capability for Hubble space telescope

CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 11, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- When the Space Shuttle Atlantis took to the sky today in its final servicing mission to the Hubble space telescope, Goodrich Corporation's (NYSE: GR) ISR Systems team in Danbury, Conn. played a key role; their fine guidance sensor is part of the payload that will add years of productive life to the venerable telescope.

The Goodrich fine guidance sensors are critical components of the telescope's precise pointing control system, and are responsible for maintaining the stable pointing that produces the Hubble's outstanding pictures. The sensors also aid in discovering and measuring the masses of planets in other solar systems as well as that of binary star systems, improving theories of star formation and evolution. The sensor on board today's Atlantis launch will replace an existing unit that has been operating in orbit on the Hubble for 10 years. It is part of a compliment of instruments and equipment that will be installed on the telescope during five planned spacewalks, to keep Hubble operational for roughly five more years.

Andreas Nonnemacher, vice president and general manager for Goodrich's ISR Systems team said, "People around the world today know about Space because of the extraordinary pictures provided by the Hubble space telescope. Our team is honored to help extend its mission capabilities with our fine guidance sensor, and we look forward to continuing the support of advanced scientific exploration of the universe."

To learn more about the Goodrich FGS and its role in the Hubble see pages 57-59 of NASA's press kit available for download at http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/331922main_sts125_presskit_050609.pdf

Goodrich Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a global supplier of systems and services to aerospace, defense and homeland security markets. With one of the most strategically diversified portfolios of products in the industry, Goodrich serves a global customer base with significant worldwide manufacturing and service facilities. For more information visit http://www.goodrich.com.

Goodrich Corporation operates through its divisions and as a parent company for its subsidiaries, one or more of which may be referred to as "Goodrich Corporation" in this press release.

GR - Electronic Systems

SOURCE Goodrich Corporation; GR ? Electronic Systems

Source: PR Newswire

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