The mission technologies division of HII recently opened its new Advanced Materials and Coatings Lab (AMCL) facility in Willowbrook, Illinois, USA.
According to the company, this state-of-the-art lab is dedicated to developing and manufacturing cutting-edge thermal space coatings for the aerospace industry; government and commercial space programs; and commercial satellite providers.
The new AMCL aims to build upon HII’s six-decade legacy of innovation in supporting NASA space programs, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), and other key space partners. Since 1961, the AMCL has helped develop advanced coatings to protect spacecraft and satellites from harsh conditions in space. These conditions can include solar flares, radiation, and extreme temperatures.
The new AMCL is designed to enhance HII’s pioneering technology for interplanetary and manned missions to the International Space Station (ISS) by creating specialized coatings technologies that meet the evolving needs of modern spacecraft, space systems, and components. The new facility will also enable the team to expand their specialty coating research and manufacturing into other DoD applications and solutions, according to the company.
“Our new AMCL represents a significant investment in the future of aerospace technology,” says Grant Hagen, president of the cyber, electronic warfare, and space business group within mission technologies’. “This facility will allow us to push the boundaries of innovation, continuing our work in developing unique coating materials that protect aerospace structures and NASA astronauts from the challenging space environment.”
The new lab is equipped with the latest chemical laboratory technology, which includes large-scale solution preparation equipment; high-temperature furnaces; and advanced powder processing machinery. These tools are designed to enable HII’s engineers, chemists, and technicians to continue developing coatings that are precisely engineered for specific applications in space and other challenging environments.
“We are incredibly proud of the expertise and dedication of our team,” says Jeff Showalter, vice president of operations for the business group and AMCL’s manager. “Every coating we develop is a testament to their skill and commitment to excellence, ensuring that every spacecraft we touch is protected and ready to face the challenges of space.”
“We look forward to welcoming our partners and clients to our new facility and demonstrating how our enhanced capabilities will benefit the future of space exploration and defense,” he adds.
The opening of this new facility—which replaces a previous AMCL facility located in downtown Chicago—underscores HII’s commitment to advancing the science of space coatings and supporting the most ambitious space endeavors.
The 13,250-square-foot (1,231.0 m2) space features dedicated laboratories for specialized tasks, thereby enabling the AMCL experts to focus solely on research and development (R&D) without constraints, according to the group.
Source: HII, www.hii.com.