Mar 20 1997
From The Space Library
Japan's National Space Development Agency (NASDA) unveiled its key contribution to the ISS, two satellites named after stars--Orihime and Hikoboshi, which Japan planned to launch aboard an H-2 rocket. The satellites would make it easier to perform unpiloted docking experiments on the ISS. Japan's interest in robotic space research fueled the proposal, which complemented NASDA's plan to build an unpiloted Space Shuttle to ferry Japan's experiments to the ISS.
NASA awarded its 1996 Government Invention of the Year to a patented, high-temperature seal developed for the National Aerospace Plane project. Bruce M. Steinetz and Paul J. Sirocky of NASA's LERC directed the research. The seal used ceramic and superalloy fibers braided into a malleable structure to seal high-temperature joints on airplanes and Shuttles. The seal maintained its form in temperatures up to 2,000°F (1,090°C).
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