Decatur, Alabama, USA–October 10, 2018 – RUAG Space, a leading supplier of products for the space industry and trusted partner of NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), announced today that it has completed the bonding and curing of its first U.S.-made United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V-500 demonstration test fairing at its Decatur, Alabama facility. This milestone emphasizes the company’s commitment and focus on market growth within the United States.

“RUAG Space is moving full steam ahead in the U.S., and the successful demolding of our first payload fairing highlights our progress and commitment to innovation,” said Mike Morningstar, President & Country Manager of RUAG Space USA. “Space exploration continues to pique the world’s interest, and we’re pleased to be supplying the international space community with high grade parts and products to ensure missions are successful.”

The RUAG Space Atlas V-500 test demonstration fairing is made with composite technology based on aluminum honeycomb cores with carbon fiber reinforced plastic face sheets. The demonstration test fairing went through the complicated production process seamlessly—leveraging the latest automation technology—and went through significant testing and inspection.

RUAG Space payload fairings come in flexible measurements to fit the respective launcher. For an Atlas V-500, the fairings have a diameter of 5.4m and have a height of up to 26.5 m. Payload fairings are designed to protect the launcher’s payload on its way into orbit—from outside temperature and pressure during the launch.

RUAG Space has been supplying Atlas V-500 fairings to ULA for more than a decade, and RUAG Space components have been the gold standard within the industry across Europe for decades more. RUAG Space missions have had a 100 percent mission success rate.

RUAG Space in the USA manufactures payload fairings and other launcher composites in Decatur, Alabama, as well as satellite structures at its Titusville, Florida facility. The company also has engineering offices in Denver, Colorado, and its electronics group is located in Santa Clara, California.

The Decatur manufacturing facility emulates the same quality production of RUAG Space in Switzerland. RUAG Space will continue to utilize this Swiss heritage as it continues to expand in the United States.

About RUAG Space: RUAG Space is a leading supplier to the space industry, with engineering and manufacturing capabilities in the U.S. and Europe. With more than 1,300 staff, it provides products for satellites and launch vehicles – playing a key role both in the commercial and institutional space market. Its product portfolio comprises electronics for satellites and launchers, mechanical and thermal products for satellites, as well as launcher structures and separation systems. RUAG Space USA currently has sites in Huntsville, Alabama (headquarters); Decatur, Alabama; Titusville, Florida; Denver, Colorado, and Santa Clara, Calif. RUAG Space is a division of the international technology company, the RUAG Group. For more information, please visit: www.ruag.com. Twitter: @RUAGSpace

PHOTO CAPTION: The demolding of the bonded and cured RUAG Space demonstration test fairing for an Atlas V-500 at the Decatur, Alabama manufacturing facility. Courtesy: RUAG Space USA

Contact:

Carrie Rice, Director of Communications, RUAG Space USA / +1 256.583.5563 / Carrie.Rice@ruag.com