NASA Qualifies Hypertronics 2mm cPCI Connectors for Flight Use

LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 16, 2006--Hypertronics Corporation announced today at the Military Embedded Electronics Computing Conference (MEECC) that NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has approved the use of Hypertronics' 2mm cPCI connector for flight use.

The NASA GSFC cPCI Team's approval is based on the successful completion of an extensive test program that included qualification testing at the connector and cPCI 6U chassis level. The testing also included material analysis with micro sections of plated surfaces as well as extensive data reviews and on-site visits.

Terry King, Lead Parts Engineer, Connector, Wire and Cable Specialist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center states, "Because so many connector products have failed, this test protocol went over and above any that have ever been done. NASA Goddard has never tested a connector to this level of performance."

Hypertronics' highly reliable 2mm connector is destined for NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). SDO is an unmanned satellite scheduled for launch in August 2008, its mission is to determine the effects of solar flares on wireless communications, weather forecasts and power transmission. Hypertronics' 2mm board-mount connectors will be used in the satellite's guidance and information distribution systems.

The qualification of the Hypertronics connectors, which contain the widely acclaimed Hypertac(R) contact technology, improves system reliability by ensuring signal integrity while eliminating contact fretting under the most severe shock and vibration environments. It also enables NASA to design circuit boards to commercial standards improving design lead times.

About Hypertronics Corporation

Hypertronics, based in Hudson, Massachusetts, has been a leader in the design, manufacturing and distribution of specialty connectors for the electronics industry since 1970. Its Hypertac technology is renowned for delivering unfailing performance in high-reliability applications. Market segments that demand this superior performance include medical, military, test and measurement and industrial. The company offers a wide range of standard catalog products as well as custom-designed connectors for more specific application needs and performance requirements. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Smiths Group (UK:SMIN), a multinational company headquartered in London, UK. More information about Hypertronics products and solution offerings can be found at www.hypertronics.com.