Press Releases

Tucson Company Continues to Reach For The Stars

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ken Davidian
Tel: 520-903-1000 x14
Email: kdavidian@paragonsdc.com

TUCSON, Ariz. — In response to proposals submitted to NASA and the Navy, three Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) contracts were recently awarded to Tucson-based Paragon Space Development Corporation. These contracts help Paragon develop technologies that will be a key to the future of space and homeland defense applications, such as advanced thermal control systems and regulated external breathing apparatuses for diving applications in chemical agent environments .

The two SBIR Phase One contracts from NASA will develop technology that may be used in space vehicles and manned lunar bases.

Taber MacCallum, CEO of Paragon, says the first NASA SBIR is the "Integrated Radiator" project that will develop a space radiator that can be designed into the main structure of a spacecraft. Traditionally, radiators are simply added to the outer "skin" of the vehicle. "By performing the double duty of cooling as well as supporting the spacecraft loads, the overall vehicle can be lighter and, therefore, cheaper," MacCallum said.

"The second NASA SBIR is called the 'Enhanced Vapor Compression Cycle' or 'Enhanced VCC' for short. With it, Paragon will investigate and build a highly efficient way of removing heat from things that get too hot in space."

MacCallum goes on to explain that, "thermal control" is one of the primary challenges facing any space endeavor, from small satellites, to the International Space Station. This technology will allow spacecraft to be safer and less expensive spacecraft and will be important in future lunar base designs.

The single Navy SBIR Phase Two award has direct application for homeland security application in the area of chemical warfare agent protection. By providing "space suit-like" isolation and life support for divers in contaminated waters, they can perform their tasks longer and without threat to their own health.

Paragon has earned a stellar reputation from major aerospace companies and government agencies based on the high quality and professionalism of both its employees and the work it performs. In the past 10 years, Paragon has had a wide variety of contracts in the aerospace industry. They are currently designing the Environmental Control, Life Support and Active Thermal Control systems on the Lockheed-Martin team competing for NASA's next manned spacecraft.

ABOUT PARAGON SPACE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (www.paragonsdc.com)

A woman-owned small business founded in 1993, Paragon Space Development Corporation integrates systems engineering with human factors, risk management, chemistry, and biology for high technology endeavors in water, on land and in space. Paragon contact: Ken Davidian. Mailing Address: 2700 East Executive Drive, Suite 100, Tucson, AZ 85706. Phone: 520-903-1000 ext. 14. Fax: 520-903-2000. Email: kdavidian@paragonsdc.com. Web site: www.paragonsdc.com ###

PRESS RELEASE OF FEBURARY 17, 2004