Rio Rancho, NM (June 18, 2009) – Alta Data Technologies announces the selection of its MIL-STD-1553 interface cards and software by Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX). The MIL-STD-1553 will provide a critical communications link between SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft and the International Space Station.
“Alta Data’s products and expertise are an asset to SpaceX, and contributed to the successful completion of MIL-STD-1553 RT validation test suite,” said Jeff Ward, SpaceX Vice President of Avionics, Guidance & Control.
Richard Schuh, CEO of Alta adds, “SpaceX is leading the commercial aerospace market in developing cost effective access to space. It has been our goal to provide SpaceX the best possible product and support, and we extremely pleased to be associated with this cutting edge project. Alta shares the goals of SpaceX to bring innovative technologies, streamlined business practices, increased product quality and cost reduction to the aerospace market.”
About Alta Data
Alta Data Technologies is leading provider of avionics and I/O interface cards and software. Alta has introduced several new standard features such as signal capture, signal generators and advanced packetized 1553 Common Data Packet architectures. Provided with most cards is an advanced, modular AltaAPI software tool kit that easily ports between operating systems and provides true, independent application support between device channels. Alta’s PCI/PCI Express, PMC, XMC, PCCARD, VPX, cPCI and PCI Express interface cards and software are offered in multi channel configurations and includes ARINC combination channels on most platforms. Operating system platforms include MS Windows, Wind River VxWorks, Greenhills Integrity, LynxWorks LynxOS, Linux 32-bit and 64-bit, INtime RTX Shared Mode and Solaris 64.
About SpaceX
SpaceX is revolutionizing access to space with a family of launch vehicles and spacecraft designed to increase the reliability and reduce the cost of both manned and unmanned space transportation, ultimately by a factor of ten. As a winner of the NASA Commercial Orbital Transportation Services competition (COTS), SpaceX will conduct three flights of its Falcon 9 launch vehicle and Dragon spacecraft, culminating in Dragon berthing with the ISS. In addition, NASA recently selected the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle and Dragon spacecraft for the ISS Cargo Resupply Services (CRS) contract award. The contract includes 12 flights between 2010 and 2015 and represents a guaranteed minimum of 20,000 kg to be carried to the ISS.
Founded in 2002, the SpaceX team now numbers more than 700 full time employees, primarily located in Hawthorne, California, with additional locations in Texas, at SpaceX’s Test Facility in McGregor near Waco; offices in Washington DC; and launch facilities at Cape Canaveral, Florida, and the Marshall Islands in the Central Pacific.