Maryland Company Expanding Technology in Space -
NASA won't leave earth without the CTRL UL101

November 11, 2002
Download PDF Version (111k)

CTRL Systems, Inc. (Westminster, Maryland) - CTRL Systems is pleased to announce that NASA has decided to expand its use of ultrasonics in space. With the recent success of the CTRL UL101 (UL101) ultrasonic inspection device on the International Space Station (ISS), NASA has now placed an order with CTRL Systems to put the same technology on all shuttles in the space program. Beginning in the first quarter of 2003, the UL101 will be standard equipment for all shuttle missions.

NASA's decision to place this technology on the shuttles demonstrates its importance for continued mission safety and equipment readiness. It is stated that it costs approximately $10,000 for each payload pound at launch. Weight and storage space are very critical in the final decision for any item to become part of the shuttle's standard equipment. "The fact that NASA has justified the per launch cost to have the technology of the UL101 on each shuttle mission should be of interest to any ground based business as to how they could benefit as well," explains Bob Roche, CEO of CTRL Systems. CTRL Systems has been helping commercial business with this technology long before they placed the UL101 on the ISS last year.

The UL101 is a non-destructive testing device that utilized the properties of ultrasound to provide a quick and accurate method for testing the condition of systems and components such as bearings, gears, gas lines, pumps, non-pressurized vessels, and more. NASA will use the UL101 initially to inspect and test the integrity of air lines and seals on the shuttle and will work with CTRL Systems to expand the scope of applications. CTRL Systems continues its relationship with NASA and expects further expansion of the technology for use in space and on earth.

The Baltimore Export Assistance Center's International Trade Specialist, Jeanne Townsend, in conjunction with the Overseas Commercial Service posts, and local partners such as the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development's (DBED) Office of International Trade, have provided market intelligence and export assistance to CTRL expanding their international market presence to eleven countries; France, Germany, Ireland, Turkey, Brazil, Taiwan, Korea, Poland, Japan, India and China. CTRL Systems' CEO Robert Roche said, "An increase of $600,000 in overseas sales due to the assistance of the U.S. Commercial Service and the Maryland Office of International Trade."