On the Cutting Edge: How Parker Chomerics Helps SpaceX Soar
SpaceX, the private space exploration company, has been making waves in the aerospace industry with its innovative rockets and spacecraft. The cutting-edge technology from SpaceX would not be possible without the engineering and support from the Parker Chomerics Division.
Chomerics, part of Parker Hannifin’s Engineered Materials Group, has been a top supplier to SpaceX since its founding in 2002. From aerospace solutions to the SpaceX Crew Dragon Capsule, Chomerics’ materials are an integral part of many SpaceX innovations, including:
• Elastomer technology
• Metals
• Specialty parts
• Engineered plastic solutions
• Thermal and laminated solutions
The Historic SpaceX Crew Dragon
One of Parker Chomerics proudest moments with SpaceX was getting to play a critical role in the history-making test flight of SpaceX Crew Dragon. On May 30, 2020, people from around the globe watched in rapt fascination as the shuttle started its journey to the International Space Station, marking the first time NASA astronauts launched from American soil in a commercially built and operated American crew spacecraft – putting the United States back in the space race.
Thankfully the actual launch went off without a hitch, but behind the scenes, there was a full-court press to make sure the shuttle had all the parts required to launch and travel safely. Prior to the launch, I had a meeting with a SpaceX team member and encouraged him to call me anytime with questions. It wasn’t long until he took me up on that offer and placed a call with a concerned Elon Musk standing nearby. They were anxiously waiting on the arrival of an order of liquid oxygen valves, an essential component of the shuttle, and without them, could be forced to delay the launch. PARKER CHOMERICS jumped into action to locate the part number and ship it out right away, much to the relief of Musk and the SpaceX team.
After the launch, PARKER CHOMERICS was thrilled to receive a letter from Musk as well as the official mission patch, acknowledging Parker Chomerics' role in the launch. “I want to thank you, personally, for your dedication and hard work during the last several years to make this accomplishment possible,” Musk wrote in the letter. The letter and patch are on display in the lobby of Chomerics Headquarters at 77 Dragon Ct in Woburn, MA, and I encourage you to stop by and see it in person the next time you are in the area.
Powering Connectivity
Another innovative area where PARKER CHOMERICS is supporting SpaceX is in their Starlink satellites. These satellites bring broadband internet connectivity where it is needed most, including low-income areas or remote locations such as Alaska and Africa. The Starlink satellites are currently playing a key role in the Ukraine war, keeping people in contact when many of their physical resources have been demolished.
For the Starlink satellites, Chomerics provides a full solution with everything from thermal materials to conductive compounds as well as elastomers and gels. THERM-A-GAP™ Gel 30, a fully cured dispensable gel designed to eliminate time-consuming hand assembly and therefore decrease installation costs and reduce logistical complexity, is the primary solution SpaceX buys for the Starlink satellites.
A Team Effort
SpaceX is an excellent client for Parker Chomerics, providing steady business with good margins. They can be a challenging client, however, as last-minute orders and changing specs are common occurrences. Through the hard work and flexibility of many Chomerics team members, multiple launches have been saved and delays have been avoided.
• Dave Kelloway, Operations Manager for Chomerics Hudson facility, and his whole team are flexible with SpaceX and their orders. Their heroic efforts save launches daily!
• David “DJ” Connor and the planning team are frequently able to squeeze in the emergency requests.
• Brian Poor, Applications Engineer for Chomerics, has been designing innovations for SpaceX for more than 13 years.
• John Ariel, Engineer for Chomerics
• Product Line Managers Peter Torok, Jason Rebuck, Charles “Chaz” Brown, Brian Flaherty, and Jesse Hagar
• Mikaylah Blunt, inside sales, who works on the SpaceX account
• Chomerics Monterrey Mexico Team for strategically holding inventory for a quick turn at SpaceX’s request
• Chomerics Asia COAP team for the quick turn prototypes, being able to quickly launch soft shield 3800 at SpaceX’s request
Elon Musk is certainly a man with a vision, and Parker Chomerics is thrilled to be a part of SpaceX’s history-making innovations.
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