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Flagsuit Handed Contract To Develop Improved Gloves For NASA Space Suits Using Flagsuit's Award-Winning Flexible Joints
February 2, 2011, Southwest Harbor, ME—Flagsuit LLC, developer of “articulated inflatables” which include space suit components and hyperbaric suits, was recently awarded a contract to develop improved space suit glove assemblies for NASA. Under the sole-source contract Flagsuit will develop and test a number of advanced concepts, selecting the best to be incorporated into two pairs of gloves. NASA plans to use the glove assemblies as part of a full suit in manned test activities at the Johnson Space Center.
Peter Homer, Flagsuit's founder and President, is the undefeated winner of NASA's Astronaut Glove Centennial Challenges, held in 2007 and 2009. While Homer has been involved in several NASA funded projects as a contributor, this is the first time Flagsuit will act as a prime contractor to NASA. “This is a huge opportunity,” Homer said. While the Centennial Challenges focused on a relatively narrow mission profile (beat the current NASA glove in specific tests), this contract “will allow us to showcase the more advanced glove features we've been developing on our own.” Homer added that “NASA specifically requested that we include our patent pending flexible joint technology.”
This effort will also advance the state of the art in space suit gloves. A requirement is that the gloves be built to operate at an internal pressure of 8.3 pounds per square inch (psi), nearly twice the operating pressure of current space suits and gloves. Homer responded “we are confident we can do this since we've already produced gloves and arms for use at one atmosphere,” just shy of 15 psi. This requirement also fits well with Flagsuit's ongoing internally funded development of a Hyperbaric Suit that will operate at 8 psi.
Homer concluded that the contract award from NASA “gives us confidence about what we're doing and affirms that Flagsuit's development plans are on the right track.”
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Flagsuit is a Maine limited liability company located in Southwest Harbor, Maine, on Mount Desert Island. The company is in the business of developing and producing low cost, highly functional gloves and pressure garments for commercial space suits, and other enabling technologies. Flagsuit is working with NewSpace firms, aerospace prime contractors and government customers on crew protection systems, and concurrently developing a Hyperbaric Suit for treating traumatic brain injuries received in the battlefield. Flagsuit's products incorporate patent pending soft joint technology that enables freedom of movement while under pressure. www.flagsuit.com.
The Manufacturers Association of Maine Hosts The Manufacturers Association of South Central Pennsylvania’s Employers Educational Foundation
Dana Dehoff, Vice President of Operations, MASCPA, was in Maine on January 28, 2011 to present the successful Industry Partnership/Sector Development Strategy model. MAMe has been working on the Industry Partnership model which is defined as a state-wide sectoral strategy that understands the education and training needs of business as a demand-driven approach. Industry Partnership model builds upon existing partnership structures (existing education and training systems) to help meet the skills needs of businesses, the career goals of workers, and the economic development goals of Maine and is coordinated out of the association.
Ms. Dehoff presented history on Industry Partnership (IP) Development, how MASCAP uses existing partners and stakeholders (education and workforce system programs and services), how to strengthening Maine’s industry by creating an industry led training strategy, how we can grow & develop by Sub-Clusters, the importance of building on success and how to sustain the model.
Attendees included manufacturers and business community leaders, HR/training managers, policy makers, educators, trainers and economic developers.
Dana M. Dehoff, CWDP, is the Vice President of Operations, Certified Workforce Development Professional, MBA, Consortia Manager: Pennergy Source
Many businesses and service providers attended the event including Pratt & Whitney, GDATP, Bath Iron Works, Representatives of Senator Susan Collins, Department of Labor, Department of Education, Maine Jobs Council and SMCC! MAMe’s Education Committee is developing the Maine strategy in conjunction with the business community and service providers! Coordination of needed services is key to the success of the Industry Partnership/Sector Development strategy. All and all, businesses, workers and education and training providers all win!
MAME Begins a Series of Manufacturing Related Seminars and Forums
Beginning in January 2011, MAMe kicked off a series of manufacturing related seminars for manufacturing companies statewide! On January 25, Constellation New Energy, MAMe’s provider of energy services presented the Manufacturing Power Buying Program in Sanford at The Baker Company. Attendees heard how to manage energy costs and budgets and understand the national/international energy trends that can influence those costs. Peter Ingraham, Sr. Business Development Manager did an outstanding job of giving an overview of energy information.
The second of the series was held on January 26 in Lewiston. WESCO and Eaton Corporation presented Arc Flash Safety Solutions training. Bill Vilcheck, Principal Engineer, Power Systems, of Warrendale PA, was presenter. The training focused on how arc flash, releasing energy in the form of thermal heat, toxic fumes, pressure waves, blinding light, sound wave and explosions can result in serious injury or worse. Eaton reviewed the safety and areas of concentration and solutions to resolve any issues before an episode happens in your facility. Eaton supports efforts to improve electrical safety standards. MAMe wants to thank the January seminar presenters for providing excellent information and solutions to our members!
Peter Ingraham of CNE
What’s Happening at MAMe?
Announcing the 2011 Manufacturing Summit “Maine Ingenuity: Manufacturing the Future” May 5, 2011 at the Maine Owls Head Transportation Museum in Owls Head. Our co-hosts include Maine International Trade Center and Maine Technology Institute. Sponsorship opportunities will be released this week!
MAMe Manufacturing Series: 2011 will be full of seminars, trainings and forums on relevant manufacturing information. In January, we hosted an energy and arc flash safety solutions seminars. Coming soon is Supply Chain Management and Dust Regulation and OSHA Compliance plus more….. Look for the upcoming events in the events section!
Our Monthly Meeting Tour Events calendar is filling up! Join us at LL Bean on February 18!
The Insurance Committee is finalizing aspects of the partial self-funded health care plan. Our members will hear more in the coming weeks. As well, we will present the health plan at the Manufacturing Summit on May 5 in Owls Head.
BGS (Business Growth Services) is currently servicing twenty-one members with business services projects. If you have any business needs, call MAMe today to inquire about Business Services!
Compliance Plus Program is attracting much attention from members, stakeholders and our federal delegation. A design team is in place and will be meeting in the coming weeks to begin designing the MAMe Compliance Plus Program! Out sincere thanks to Julie Churchill, Maine DEP and the folks at Maine DOL for their major support!
Maine Industry Partnership/Sector Development model will be implemented at MAMe in the coming weeks! We have begun seeking training/education funding as well as working with a group of members to assess and assist with their education/training needs. The MAMe Education Committee is focused on designing the partnership program with the state’s service providers.
Please check our calendar of events for upcoming tours, events, seminars and manufacturing summit!
Does “free” get your interest? $500 value? Just for sending an email or a fax?
Rodgers~AeroTech and Complete Filtration are pleased to make the following offer to all manufacturing members of the Manufacturers Association of Maine.
Email (or mail or fax) us your contact information: plant manager, Maintenance manager and /or purchasing manager…a scanned business card is fine.
We will enter you to win six (6) dust collector cartridges. The cartridges will be standard size and configuration, fire resistant 80/20 polyester blend, for example 13.84 OD x 26” length . No oval-type cartridges or non-round cartridges are eligible.
Second prize is 20% off six (6) of the above type cartridges, and 3rd prize is 10% off.
The winning names will be drawn on March 8th by the Manufacturer’s Association staff.
Offer is valid to manufacturing members only. No taxes or installation are included. Standard sizes and configuration will be determined by Rodgers and Complete.
Your information can be sent to: Rodgers~AeroTech
Fax: (207)725-1413
Email: kmcdonough@rodgersat.comcastbiz.net
steve.mac06@yahoo.com
Thanks, and we look forward to hearing from you !!!!