News & Events

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Press Releases

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Paragon  Space Development Corporation^® wins Governor’s Celebration of Innovation Small Business Award

TUCSON, (AZ) (November 6, 2017) – Paragon is proud to announce it received the prestigious Governor’s Celebration of Innovation Small Business Award from the Arizona Technical Council and Arizona Commerce Authority. This award honors the visionaries of Arizona’s technology ecosystem whose passion and dedication energize Arizona’s rapidly growing technology. In September, Paragon also won the Copper Cactus Nextrio Innovation award for another innovative technology regarding water recovery for spacecraft.

Paragon‘s award was based on its patented XRad™ radiators which use friction stir welding (FSW) to bond thin extrusions into a cohesive and highly efficient panel for spacecraft use. Paragon’s patented technology (Pat 9,091,489; 9,429,371) was developed with internal research funds and was used to deliver a robust radiator demonstrator to NASA.  This new development technology, which took five years to perfect, allows significant reductions in tooling and provides design flexibility to better meet customer requirements.  In July 2017, Paragon’s XRad™ radiator technology was chosen to provide radiator systems to a major aerospace firm’s vehicle being built for NASA.

“Paragon’s XRad™ technology allows Paragon to respond to changes in the design details of our customer’s spacecraft without the costly and time-consuming tooling of traditional honeycomb core radiators.  The required inspection and testing of the radiators is also greatly reduced providing even greater cost competitiveness.” said Grant A. Anderson, Paragon’s President & CEO.  “This design flexibility has allowed us to respond quickly to our customer’s needs and advance rapidly through the design process, sometimes cutting “normal” design time from almost a year to several months, “ pointed out Norman Hahn, Paragon’s XRad™ program manager. “This second award this year, and our second Governor’s award in 11 years, shows that innovation is in Paragon’s DNA” added Mr. Anderson.

Paragon is an industry leader in life support and thermal control solutions for extreme environments in space, defense and commercial markets. Through superior products and persistent innovation, Paragon continues to provide pathways to send humans farther than they have ever gone before in space while also providing solutions for unique human survival needs here on Earth.  We believe at Paragon that Life has no Limits.

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Paragon Space Development Corporation^® Business Operations Officer Joel Johnson wins 2017 Executive Excellence Award

TUCSON, (AZ) (November 2, 2017) – Paragon is proud to announce that its Business Operations Officer / Chief Financial Officer, Joel Johnson, won the 2017 Executive Excellence Award for COO of Small/Medium companies at the Executive Excellence Dinner & Awards held by Inside Tucson Business at the Desert Diamond Casino & Hotel last night.   This award honors the outstanding top executives in our local community that make a significant impact in their industry and community.

All nominations come from the general public and award winners were determined based on scoring from an independent panel of judges. Joel’s award was based on his innovative and talented leadership with more than 17 years of corporate leadership experience. Joel has been part of Paragon’s executive team since 2007 and has helped guide Paragon through an Inc 500 recognized 60%+ Compound Adjusted Growth curve. Joel implemented a formal Earned Value Management System (EVMS) at Paragon and has led several multi-million dollar contract negotiations with companies such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Sierra Nevada Corporation, and NASA.

“I am incredibly honored by this award,” said Johnson. “To be singularly recognized by this panel of judges means a lot to me, but more importantly to our company. The success of Paragon can only be attributed to the support, hard work, and dedication of our entire team. It’s on their behalf that I am accepting this award.”

Paragon Space Development Corporation is an industry leader in life support and thermal control solutions for extreme environments in space, defense and commercial markets. Thorough superior products and persistent innovation, Paragon continues to provide pathways to send humans farther than they have ever gone before in space while also providing solutions for unique human survival needs here on Earth.  We believe at Paragon that Life has no Limits.

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Record- breaking Space Jump a Giant Leap Forward for Commercial Space Flight, Alan Eustace dove from near space and straight into history

TUCSON, (AZ) (October 24, 2017)  Three years ago today, former Google executive Alan Eustace, supported by Paragon Space Development Corporation^® (Paragon) and its StratEX team, dropped from a high-altitude balloon straight into history. With that record-setting jump Eustace helped usher in a new era of space flight: one that is open not just to governments, but also to visionary companies and individuals who set out to achieve what once was deemed impossible. Eustace’s jump broke several world records that still stand today, including that for the highest exit altitude (135,898 ft); freefall under a drogue chute; and the national record for vertical speed (820 mph). He also became the second person in history to intentionally break the sound barrier outside an aircraft.

Since this historic jump, commercial space flight has become one of the fastest growing segments in the aerospace industry.

His journey began with a question: Is it possible to develop a system that would allow humans to explore the stratosphere as easily and safely as they do the ocean? Paragon said yes.

“I see the curvature of the Earth and the darkness of Space and its awe-inspiring“ said Eustace during his historic dive. He later elaborated: “I’m incredibly proud of this team and their unwavering commitment to safety, and advancing the science and technology of stratospheric exploration.”

A movie about the effort, “14 Minutes from Earth” by Atomic Entertainment, premiered at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival in New York City and is available for download. The StratEx self-contained suit and recovery system were unveiled at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia last December.  Alan Eustace and the StratEx Mission will be featured in an upcoming “Risk Takers” episode in 2018 on Smithsonian Channel’s SERIOUSLY AMAZING OBJECTS program where viewers will get behind-the-scenes insight into the program.

“We are happy that Alan and the StratEx mission are getting recognized for their significance in pushing the boundaries of space exploration,” said Grant Anderson, President and CEO and co-founder of Paragon. “We had to overcome incredible engineering challenges and it would not have been possible without the experience and dedication of the StratEx team.” The team included ILC Dover (ILC); United Parachute Technologies (UPT); ADE Technologies Consulting, LLC (ADE); Dr. Jonathan Clark, M.D.; Julian Nott; Sreenivasan Shankarnarayan; Don Day; World View Enterprises, Inc. and over a dozen other subcontractors.

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Paragon Space Development Corporation® named as a Finalist for the Governor’s Celebration of Innovation Small Business Award

TUCSON, (AZ) (October 9, 2017) – Paragon Space Development Corporation^® has been selected as a finalist for the 2017 Governor’s Celebration of Innovation Small Business Award by the Arizona Technical Council and Arizona Commerce Authority. This award honors the visionaries of Arizona’s technology ecosystem whose passion and dedication energize Arizona’s rapidly growing technology community.

Paragon was nominated for revolutionizing the methods used to design and build spacecraft radiators.  A new development technology that took five years to perfect, Paragon’s patented XRad™ radiators use friction stir welding (FSW) to bond thin extrusions into a cohesive and highly efficient panel.  The method allows significant reductions in tooling and provides flexibility of design to better meet the requirements of customers.  Paragon’s XRad radiator technology was chosen this year to provide radiator systems to a major aerospace firm’s vehicle being built for NASA.

“Paragon’s XRad technology allows Paragon to respond to changes in the design details of our customer’s spacecraft without the costly and time-consuming tooling of traditional honeycomb core radiators,” said Grant A. Anderson, president & CEO, Paragon Space Development Corporation. “The required inspection and testing of the radiators are also greatly reduced, providing even greater cost competitiveness.”

The XRad development challenges included the welding of thin metal sheets edge-to-edge to each other; processing of extruded tubing to allow for efficient, repeatable, and leak-tight connections to thermal fluid distribution manifolds; and special methods for radiator finishing.  Paragon’s patented technology (Pat 9,091,489; 9,429,371) was developed with internal research funds and was used to deliver a robust radiator demonstrator to NASA.

“This design flexibility has allowed us to respond quickly to our customer’s needs and advance rapidly through the design process, sometimes cutting “normal” design time from almost a year to several months,” said Norman Hahn, XRad program manager, Paragon Space Development Corporation.

“Paragon is a premier example of Arizona’s thriving technology community,” said Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO, Arizona Technology Council. “Their contribution to the space sector and aptitude for innovation makes the company well-deserving of the honor of being named a finalist.”

Paragon Space Development Corporation is an industry leader in life support and thermal control solutions for extreme environments in space, defense and commercial markets. Through superior products and persistent innovation, Paragon continues to provide pathways to send humans farther than they have ever gone before in space while also providing solutions for unique human survival needs here on Earth.  We believe at Paragon that Life has no Limits.

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Paragon Space Development Corporation® teamed with SGT in NASA’s Research, Engineering, Mission and Integration Services (REMIS) Contract Award

TUCSON, (AZ) (September 14, 2017) – Paragon has teamed with Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies (SGT) on NASA’s Research, Engineering, Mission and Integration Services (REMIS) Contract which was just awarded to SGT. REMIS will be conducted as a multiple award Indefinite Delivery/ Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) type contract, which includes five Contract Line Item Number(s) (CLINS).  SGT was awarded three of the five CLINs in the categories of Engineering.  Under this contract, the ISS Program will issue task orders to provide spaceflight hardware, software, mission integration and operations services on a commercial basis with minimal government involvement.  The REMIS contract consists of a 5-year base period of performance and one 2- year option. The REMIS ceiling value is $500M including the option.

“SGT is pleased to be working with Paragon on the REMIS program,” said Mark Greeley, REMIS Program Manager for SGT. “Paragon’s innovative solutions and technical approach to meeting NASA’s needs were integral to our win, and their proven track record of delivering spaceflight hardware will be key in SGT’s ability to win and execute future REMIS task orders.”

Grant Anderson, President & CEO of Paragon, notes that “this multimillion dollar, multi-task contract will be just the beginning of a long successful relationship with SGT.”

Paragon’s efforts will be managed out of their Houston office and work will be performed across all facilities including their Tucson Headquarters and the Denver office.

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Paragon wins Copper Cactus Innovation Award

TUCSON, (AZ) (September 11, 2017) – Paragon Space Development Corporation (Paragon) is proud to announce it received a prestigious Copper Cactus Award for Innovation from the Tucson Metro Chamber at the 20^th Anniversary event on September 8^th at the Casino Del Sol Resort. The Tucson Metro Chamber Copper Cactus Awards event presented by Wells Fargo celebrates the accomplishments and innovation of Southern Arizona’s locally owned small businesses.

Paragon’s award was based on its patented Ionomer-membrane Water Processor (IWP) technology which is capable of recovering clean water from highly contaminated and extremely hazardous water sources. This unique technology extracts contaminants from wastewater through a membrane to provide a higher quality of water – achieving greater than 99% reduction in contaminants which is a key aspect of reducing mission mass and logistics support for orbiting facilities and interplanetary spacecraft. This advanced technology will fly to the International Space Station in 2019.

“Paragon’s original concept was to develop the technology that would improve and simplify water recovery processes for space applications. In addition to this use, IWP can be used for in-situ processing of water recovered on Mars or asteroids,” said Laura Kelsey, IWP Program Manager.

“It could very well be that the first residents on a permanent moon or Mars base will be using this technology, and the technology may be the preferred water recovery solution for decades, if not centuries, to come.” Said Grant Anderson President & CEO.

Paragon Space Development Corporation is an industry leader in life support and thermal control solutions for extreme environments in space, defense and commercial markets. Thorough superior products and persistent innovation, Paragon continues to provide pathways to send humans farther than they have ever gone before in space while also providing solutions for unique human survival needs here on Earth.  We believe at Paragon that Life has no Limits.

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Paragon Space Development Corporation^® Named by Sierra Nevada Corporation Supplier for Dream Chaser^® Spacecraft Cargo System

TUCSON, (AZ) (July 19, 2017) – Paragon was recently selected by Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) to provide flight hardware for its Dream Chaser spacecraft. In 2016, NASA selected SNC’s Dream Chaser to transport pressurized and unpressurized cargo to and from the International Space Station (ISS) with return and disposal services.

Paragon will provide the Thermal Control Radiators for the vehicle’s cargo module. The solution will leverage Paragon’s patented Extruded Radiator (xRAD™) technology, a state-of-the-art, cost-effective radiator solution which eliminates the structural and thermal inefficiencies associated with bonded radiators structures.  The xRAD™ technology also increases vehicle integration flexibility and reduces development time, manufacturing risks, and manufacturing costs.  Delivery of flight radiators is to commence in early 2019 with deliveries through 2022.  As a part of the disposable cargo module, the radiators will burn up during reentry at the end of each mission.

“Paragon’s offering was a result of years of Paragon’s directed internal R&D funding that brought the technique and practical application out of the laboratory and onto the factory floor to benefit our customers that are needing better-value radiator solutions,” said Grant Anderson, President & CEO of Paragon.  “This multi-unit and multi-mission order will be just the beginning of a decades-long relationship to provide high quality and competitively priced radiator hardware to Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Dream Chaser family of vehicles.”

Earlier this year, SNC successfully passed the third integration milestone for the Dream Chaser under the NASA Commercial Resupply Services (CRS2) program, confirming that the company’s Dream Chaser vehicle can meet NASA requirements for transporting cargo to and from the space station. The reliability of the Dream Chaser design was also thoroughly reviewed as part of NASA’s Phase I Safety Review Process, which successfully demonstrated safety and mission assurance criteria. The reviews covered all stages of mission operations including ground, launch, flight, and landing.

“SNC is pleased to be working with Paragon on the Dream Chaser program,” said Mark Sirangelo, corporate vice president of SNC’s Space Systems business area. “Their radiator technology is a key component in SNC’s ability to deliver a safe, affordable, flexible and reliable system.”

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Navel Sea Systems Command Awards Paragon a Phase II Contract for Battery Cooling Technology 

TUCSON, (AZ) (July 12, 2017) – Paragon Space Development Corporation® (Paragon), headquartered in Tucson, has received a contract from US Department of Defense (DoD) to provide our military with a robust battery cooling solution. Paragon’s technology, called a Buswork Integrated Cooling System (BICS) cools the battery from the inside out. This solution will be developed with K2 Energy Solutions, Inc. (K2), a developer and manufacturer of high performance energy storage systems, headquartered in Henderson, NV.

The Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award from the Naval Sea Systems Command began in this spring and will extend, including two options, to the 1^st quarter of 2020.

The solution will provide integrated battery module cooling through a unique Paragon busbar design which directly cools electrical conductors via electrically isolated low profile liquid cooling layers. This solution yields high thermal effectiveness by harnessing the axial heat transport capacity of the battery cell materials along the internal current collectors. The technology has the flexibility to meet a wide range of demanding thermal performance requirements for application in the Navy’s range of high performance energy storage and power system needs. The Navy’s needs are expected to scale exponentially with increasing power demand and energy densities as the Navy adopts electric propulsion and weaponry advances. The scalability of Paragon’s BICS architecture provides an answer to increased electrical power demand well into the future. For flexibility in meeting these future needs, this technology implements Paragon’s hybrid manufacturing process. This process leverages rapid prototyping for quick production of functional hardware that is, once the geometric, structural, and thermal performance is verified in the target application, translated directly to a high volume manufacturing environment.

“The patent pending technology we’ve developed, first through our internal funds and then through this SBIR, is meeting the emerging needs for Navy power system and power systems for other military and civilian system, said Grant Anderson, Paragon President & CEO.  “We’re already getting other customers asking us to accelerate and adapt the solution to their systems.”  The technology, the company points out, is inherently flexible to almost any geometry.

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Honeywell and Paragon to create Life Support Technology for Future NASA Space Missions

PHOENIX, May 1, 2017 – Honeywell (NYSE: HON) and Paragon Space Development Corporation have announced a teaming agreement that will change the way astronauts experience life in space. The two companies will design, build, test and apply environmental control and life support systems for future human NASA and commercial programs.

Longer duration, human-exploration missions are planned for the future, but there is no easy way to replenish resources such as oxygen and water in space. NASA’s future human-exploration missions will require an integrated and highly efficient system for life support and thermal control. Paragon’s focus on evolving water and thermal technologies complements Honeywell’s new developments in air revitalization technologies, both of which are essential parts of the spacecraft needed for NASA’s deep space goals.

“A renewed interest in developing a Deep Space Habitat needed for reaching the Moon and Mars, continued experimentation aboard the International Space Station, and a desire to push the limits of unmanned flights make this a remarkable time in space exploration. Unmanned achievements are now giving way to long-distance and long-duration human missions. The technology developed by Honeywell and Paragon will give humans the opportunity to explore space for longer periods than before,” said Marty Sheber, vice president, Space, Honeywell Aerospace. “Honeywell has a long legacy of providing mission-critical environmental control and life support systems (ECLSS), including being the provider of critical parts of the system currently used on the International Space Station. That heritage, coupled with Paragon’s focus on innovative and emerging ECLSS technologies, provides a complementary team to develop technology capable of supporting humans on their longer explorations into space.”

“This agreement allows the Honeywell and Paragon team to provide fully integrated solutions to NASA, combining our strengths of experience and innovation in technology with an agile and customer-focused responsiveness,” said Grant Anderson, president and CEO, Paragon Space Development Corporation. “Potential prime contractors and NASA will have access to a system-focused integration team with a catalog of proven and emerging technology to bring long-duration exploration of the Moon and Mars to practical implementation.”

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Paragon Space Development Corporation Awarded Full-up NASA ISS Water Processor Development Contract

TUCSON, AZ (June 30,2016) – NASA has awarded Paragon a contract for the full scale development of its patented Ionomer-membrane Water Processor (IWP) System to be demonstrated on the International Space Station (ISS) in about 19 months. Paragon’s IWP will provide the platform for up to 98 percent water recovery in future deep space exploration missions with its initial application planned for installation on the International Space Station (ISS). This contract follows a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase III contract awarded by NASA to Paragon earlier this year for IWP development.

“We are looking forward to increasing the ISS water cycle closure thereby significantly reducing expensive water deliveries from Earth and saving valuable taxpayer dollars.” said Grant Anderson, Paragon President and CEO. “NASA’s SBIR investment has made this next step possible and we are excited to see the IWP technology fully developed to fulfill needs of current and future space programs. ”

“This program will provide high volume water recovery for places like the ISS, missions to Mars, or other deep space missions that must operate independent of Earth’s resources,” said Laura Kelsey, IWP Program Manager.

Paragon will follow up this work with operational systems for many future missions that NASA and the private sector have in their plans. Paragon is actively working with other contractors that are preparing to supply the future habitats for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and long-duration missions.

IWP has several applications on Earth including water recovery and purification of briny water such as out of oil wells, fracking water, and from other industrial processes.

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NASA Awards Paragon with an SBIR Phase I For In-space Fuel Depot Technology

TUCSON, AZ (May 03, 2016) – Paragon Space Development Corporation® (Paragon) and partner Thin Red Line Aerospace (TRLA) received a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award from NASA to provide a unique solution that will extend the life of cryogenic upper stage rockets. The useful life of a standard upper stage is no more than a few hours. The thermally isolating structure is a key piece to allowing systems to operate for weeks or months on orbit, giving upper stage platforms additional flexibility for payload maneuvering and deployment timing as well as direct use of upper stages for commercial and scientific use.

The proposed solution will provide NASA with an isolation solution between manned and unmanned spacecraft while allowing for the necessary structural characteristics for station keeping attitude control and telemetry on orbit. The technology has direct application to both NASA and commercial launch vehicles as well as proposed cryogenic depot platforms, enabling the orbital refueling stops identified by NASA as the long term approach to deep space manned missions to Mars and beyond.

“We are honored to once again partner with TRLA and provide NASA and the space launch community with a unique and innovative technology that will make exploration of deep space safer, and more reliable for all,” said Grant Anderson, Paragon President and CEO.

“We intend to prove that our solution will not only extend the on-orbit life of propellant depots but also provide increased mission flexibility for future NASA and commercial space exploration missions,” added TRLA President Maxim de Jong.

The technology is complimentary to the recently-announced launch and orbital environment protection system for cryogenic tank acreage that Paragon and TRLA won in March. With this solution, the isolation and protection of cryogenic stages is a one-stop acquisition for upper stage or payload manufacturers. Paragon and TRLA are actively engaged with industry partners to provide several cryogenic solutions that will support a range of applications for deep space exploration.

For the 2016 SBIR/STTR solicitation, NASA received 1,278 proposals of which it selected 399 for contract negotiation.

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NASA Awards Paragon with an STTR Phase I For Spacecraft Habitat Wastewater Recycling System

TUCSON, AZ (May 02, 2016) – Paragon Space Development Corporation® (Paragon) and partner Texas Tech University (TTU) received a Phase I Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) award from NASA to develop the Integrated Water Recovery Assembly (IRA), a spacecraft wastewater recycling system that will provide the long-term support necessary to explore beyond Earth orbit.

The Integrated Water Recovery Assembly (IRA) is designed to meet NASA’s stringent requirements and constraints. IRA will reduce consumable consumption by removing the need for hazardous chemical pretreatment and likely eliminate the need for inefficient liquid water based processes (e.g. ion exchange) now used to reach potable standards. The technology will be applicable to NASA as well as other commercial applications.

“Simple yet robust water recycling systems are critical for not only space exploration but also disaster relief, military support, and industrial water remediation. Together with TTU we will integrate the necessary technologies and advance the state-of-the-art in wastewater recycling” said Barry Finger, Paragon’s Chief Engineer and the Principal Investigator for this project.

“IRA will be less complex, require far fewer consumables, and be more sustainable than current spacecraft wastewater recovery systems. Phase I findings will establish the basis for the water recycling solution needed for future long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars,” added Dr. Andrew Jackson of TTU.

For the 2016 SBIR/STTR solicitation, NASA received 1,278 proposals of which it selected 399 for contract negotiation.

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Paragon Space Development Corporation® Wins NASA Phase II for Cryogenic Fluid Management Technology

 

TUCSON, AZ (March 21, 2016) – Paragon Space Development Corporation® (Paragon) and partner Thin Red Line Aerospace (TRLA) received a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award from NASA to advance their Cryogenic Encapsulating Launch Shroud and Insulated Upper Stage (CELSIUS) technology. The Phase II effort will design and test a novel, high performance, inflatable system to address the agency’s near-term needs as well as provide a resource for future exploration missions to the moon, mars, and deep space.

CELSIUS provides thermal insulation and protection from micro-meteoroids and orbital debris. The system also comprises launch vehicle fairing functionality, protecting the spacecraft from dynamic pressure loads and aero-heating throughout launch and ascent. These capabilities are accomplished by applying a deterministic soft-goods system that provides far greater performance for far less mass and cost than the equivalent state of the art systems performing the same functions.

“Paragon’s history with the SBIR program has proven time and again that we are developing products and solutions that solve some of the industry’s toughest challenges. The fact that we were able to team with a company like TRLA for this proposal further substantiates that, and ensures that this technology will mature quickly and efficiently while providing an immediate value to our customer,” said Grant Anderson, Paragon President and CEO.

“CELSIUS represents yet another step forward in validation of the advantages of sophisticated inflatable architecture through application of exceptional advances in soft goods technology,” added TRLA President Maxim de Jong.

Paragon and TRLA are actively engaged with industry partners to provide this solution for a range of applications including on-orbit upper-stage refueling and depot concepts.

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Paragon Space Development Corporation® Wins NASA ISS Water Processor Development Contract

 

TUCSON, AZ (February 22, 2016) – NASA has awarded Paragon with a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase III contract for the patented Ionomer-membrane Water Processor (IWP) System. IWP will provide the platform for up to 98% water recovery in future deep space exploration missions with its initial application planned for installment on the International Space Station (ISS).

“Paragon’s mission is to provide these best-of-class solutions for life support in any extreme environment such as in space, underwater, or underground. Recycled, clean water is one of the key elements to human survival and with this program we will be able to provide the solution that provides that water reliably over long durations,” said Grant Anderson, Paragon President and CEO. “We are excited to have NASA acknowledge our advancements in this technology and benefiting from the SBIR investments by going the next step to implementation with this contract.”

“Paragon’s original concept was to develop the technology that would improve and simplify water recovery processes for space applications. IWP will do just that by providing near complete removal of water from highly contaminated wastewater. The same technology can be used for in-situ processing of water recovered on Mars or asteroids,” said Laura Kelsey, IWP Program Manager.

With this Phase III contract Paragon reaffirms its commitment to advancing SBIR innovations into the commercial market and applying them to today’s technical challenges.

Non-space uses include water recovery and purification for a multitude of industries thereby benefiting people and companies on Earth.

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Paragon Space Development Corporation® Named Boeing Supplier for New American Crew Transportation System

TUCSON, AZ (April 27, 2015) – Paragon was recently awarded a contract by The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] to provide services to support their Crew Space Transportation System (CCTS) and Crew Space Transportation (CST)-100 spacecraft. Specifically, Paragon will provide the CST-100 Humidity Control Subassembly (HCS) for cabin atmospheric humidity control.

“We are excited to see this commitment from NASA which will allow commercial companies like Boeing to take the lead on low-Earth orbit transportation,” said Grant Anderson, Paragon President and CEO. “Private human space transportation services provide not only a reliable and safe vehicle but will reduce overall costs to all customers looking to travel into low-Earth orbit. The positive impact on small businesses like Paragon, as well as the opportunity for new markets, is also encouraging”.

Paragon’s HCS is based on patent-pending humidity control technology developed under a NASA Commercial Crew Development 1 (CCDev1) Space Act Agreement designed to stimulate the private sector in the development of safe, reliable and cost-effective space transportation. The humidity control system is one of seven systems that comprise Paragon’s Commercial Crew Transport-Air Revitalization System (CCT-ARS) which was developed through the flight Preliminary Design Review (PDR) in 2010 for commercial crew transport applications. Paragon’s resulting CST-100 HCS meets Boeing needs as a robust, simple and low mass humidity control solution for a variety of applications. Boeing’s CST-100 is being developed as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which aims to resume U.S.-based flights to space by 2017. The CST-100 will transport up to seven passengers or a mix of crew and cargo to the International Space Station (ISS) and other low-Earth orbit destinations.

Under the Commercial Crew Transportation (CCtCap) phase of the program, Boeing will build three CST-100s at the company’s Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The spacecraft will undergo a pad-abort test, an uncrewed flight test and the first crewed flight to the ISS in 2017.

Earlier this year, Boeing completed the first two milestones in the CCtCap phase, the Certification Baseline Review (CBR) and Ground System Critical Design Review (CDR). The completion of the Certification Baseline Review allows construction on system hardware, including the spacecraft and United Launch Alliance (ULA) launch vehicle adaptor, to begin. It also keeps the effort on track for achieving human-rated certification of the vehicle and ULA Atlas V rocket. The Ground System CDR evaluates all the ground operations and systems, mission operation systems, facilities, training systems, including mock-ups and trainers, and the control center.

For more information on the CST-100, please visit: www.boeing.com/cst100

Paragon Space Development Corporation® to Attend NASA Technology Day on Capitol Hill

TUCSON, AZ (April 20, 2015) – Paragon is proud to announce that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has invited us to attend NASA Technology Day, April 29, on Capitol Hill.  Paragon will display a prototype of its patented gas reconditioning system, Metabolic heat-regenerated Temperature Swing Adsorption (MTSA) which was designed for thermal, carbon dioxide and humidity control for a Martian Portable Life Support Subsystem.

Several of Paragon’s technology advancements, including MTSA, stem from NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants, which are designed to help small businesses bring new products to the commercial market while simultaneously providing research and development for the agency.

“Supporting NASA not only with the mission needs behind these SBIR contracts but with the demonstration and display of the hardware derived, is something we at Paragon feel strongly about,” said Grant Anderson, Paragon President, CEO and Co-Founder. “Supporting NASA’s SBIR programs is critical to our success as well as the future of technology advancement opportunities for small businesses working in the space technology field.”

In the fall of 2005, NASA Johnson Space Center solicited proposals to perform Low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) alternative CO2 control technology research for Martian Portable Life Support System (PLSS) applications.  MTSA was selected, being a new concept with literally no prior development.

Paragon’s MTSA technology supports NASA’s mission to explore deep space by providing affordable, sustainable life support systems for longer duration missions.  It is one of only many SBIR-supported technologies Paragon has developed over 22 years which have included water recovery systems, air revitalization systems and thermal control hardware.

NASA Technology Day is open to the public and will take place at the Rayburn Building in Washington, D.C. from 3 – 7 p.m. on April 29, 2015.

To register email: CongressionalEvents@nasa.gov

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Paragon Space Development Corporation® Contributes to NASA’s Future Human Exploration Capabilities in Deep Space

 

TUCSON, AZ (April, 2015) – NASA’s vision to have an American spacecraft launch from American soil and set off to explore deep space is one step closer to being a reality. On December 5th, 2014 the Orion spacecraft experienced a perfect launch and spent more than four hours in Earth’s orbit before performing what was called a “bulls-eye” splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

This launch was performed to test the critical parts of the capsule including the heat shield, parachutes and all the sections discharged during ascent and entry. Paragon Space Development Corporation provided the tubing for the life support system that controls everything from oxygen to heating and cooling as well a critical sensor package. For Paragon, years of hard work have paid off now that its hardware has flown on Orion.

“With unmanned tests like this one, we as manufacturers can see how the critical components hold up in high stress scenarios ensuring that when the flight is manned and under normal conditions everything works as it is intended,” said Grant Anderson, Paragon President and CEO. “With critical components like a life support system, you need to deliver to exacting tolerances and uncompromising quality so that the hardware performs flawlessly.”

Paragon is one of Lockheed Martin’s subcontractors who worked on the Orion spacecraft program. “With Lockheed at the helm, Paragon supports theirs and NASA’s vision to have Orion be the most reliable, safe and affordable option to provide human spaceflight to destinations in deep space including asteroids, around the moon, and Mars,” said Mr. Anderson.

On April 8th, 2015 the Lockheed Martin and NASA Orion Program Managers thanked the employees of Paragon for their contribution with a presentation highlighting the accomplishments of the entire Orion team along with a certificate for outstanding performance in their contributions to the successful Exploration Flight Test-1 mission.

NASA’s commitment to deep space exploration is set to have humans to set foot on Mars by the end of the 2030’s. With only two test flights planned before astronauts launch into space on Orion in 2021, NASA is on a clear path to have human footprints on the red planet.

Paragon Media
Carole Leon
csleon@www.paragonsdc.com
(520) 382-4814

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Seven Aviation and Aerospace Projects and Accomplishments to Compete for the 2014 Robert J. Collier Trophy

Contact: Stephanie Berry

703-416-4888 ext 104

Washington, DC, February 3, 2015 — The National Aeronautic Association today announced that seven aviation and aerospace projects will compete for the 2014 Robert J. Collier Trophy.

For 103 years the Collier Trophy has been the benchmark of aviation and aerospace achievement. Awarded annually “…for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America,” it has been bestowed upon some of the most important projects, programs, individuals, and accomplishments in our history. Past winners include the crews of Apollo 11 and Apollo 8, the Mercury 7, Scott Crossfield, Elmer Sperry, and Howard Hughes. Projects and programs which have been the recipient of the Collier include the B-52, the Polaris Missile, the Surveyor Moon Landing Program, the Boeing 747, the Cessna Citation, the Gulfstream V, the F-22, and the International Space Station. The 2013 Collier was awarded to the Northrop Grumman, the U.S. Navy, and the X-47B Industry Team for developing and demonstrating the first unmanned autonomous air system operating from an aircraft carrier.

The nominees this year are:

• Alan Eustace and the StratEx Team
• Embraer Legacy 500
• F-16 Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance Team
• General Aviation Joint Steering Committee
• Gulfstream G650
• Orion Exploration Flight Test-1
• Orion UAS Team

Led by NAA Chairman Jim Albaugh, the Selection Committee will consist of leaders representing organizations throughout aviation and aerospace. Included on the Committee are two former recipients of the Collier Trophy:

Larry James – NASA/JPL Mars Curiosity Rover (2012)

Carl Johnson – Northrop Grumman X47-B (2013)

The Selection Committee also includes:

Richard Aboulafia, The Teal Group

Ali Bahrami, AIA

David Bailoff, Embraer

Andrew Broom, Honda Aircraft Company

Steve Callaghan, NAA Awards And Events Committee

Steve Champness, Aero Club of Metropolitan Atlanta

Brian Chase, Textron Aviation

Dave Coleal, Spirit AeroSystems

Barry Eccleston, Airbus Group

Dave Franson, Wichita Aero Club

Randy Greene, Safe Flight Instrument Corporation

T.C. Jones, Northrop Grumman

Tim Keating, The Boeing Company

Leo Knaapen, Bombardier Aerospace

Joe Lombardo, General Dynamics

Dr. Sandy Magnus, AIAA

Dave Manke, United Technologies/Pratt & Whitney

Mary Miller, Signature Flight Support

Stan O’Connor, GE Aviation

Ken Panos, AeroJet Rocketdyne

Steve Plummer, Rolls-Royce North America

Skip Ringo, The Ringo Group

Bob Rubino, Lockheed Martin

Laurie Sussman, Rockwell Collins

John Tylko, Aurora Flight Sciences

Mark Van Tine, Jeppessen

Jonathan Gaffney, President and CEO of NAA, will serve as the Director of the process and is a non-voting member of the Committee.

The Selection Committee will meet on Wednesday, March 11th, in Arlington, Virginia, and the winner will be announced that evening at the NAA Spring Awards Dinner to be held at the Crystal Gateway Marriott.

The formal presentation of the Collier Trophy will take place at a later date at the Collier Dinner in Arlington, Virginia. More information can be found at www.naa.aero.

The National Aeronautic Association is a non-profit, membership organization devoted to fostering America’s aerospace leadership and promoting public understanding of
the importance of aviation and space flight to the United States.

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Grant Anderson Named President and CEO of Paragon Space Development Corporation

TUCSON, AZ – November 3, 2014 – Just prior to the record-breaking, near space dive by the Paragon StratEx team and Google Executive, Alan Eustace, Paragon’s Board of Directors announced that Jane Poynter and Taber MacCallum had resigned from their positions as President and CEO in order to become leaders of World View Enterprises, a space tourism vanguard opportunity incubated within Paragon.

Grant Anderson, former Paragon COO, has since been named Paragon’s new President and CEO while Ron Sable, a member of the Paragon Board of Directors, was elected Chairman of the Paragon Board.

“We are thankful for Jane and Taber’s leadership over the past 21 years as Paragon has grown to be a premier supplier of life support systems and technology and achieved great technical advancements and industry firsts,” said Mr. Sable. “We wish them both the best success in building this ground-breaking new company.”

“I am excited for the future of Paragon and honored to be leading such a first-class team of professionals.” Mr. Anderson stated, “Paragon will continue aligning its strategic goals of being the premier supplier of life support and thermal technologies with growing revenues and advancing new technologies.”

Mr. Anderson will report to Paragon’s Board of Directors and will be responsible for the organization’s management, operations, and infrastructure.

In departing, Mr. MacCallum stated, “I am proud of all of Paragon’s accomplishments over the last two decades as we have transformed from a small research and development company to a pillar in the space community known for its valuable expertise and production of environmental control and life support systems. I am sincerely grateful for the support Jane and I have received from the Paragon Board of Directors, our customers and our employees. Paragon is well positioned and on a clear path to continued success.”

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PARAGON COMPLETES record-breaking near-space dive
via high-altitude balloon

Alan Eustace and the Paragon StratEx Team make stratospheric exploration history at over 135,000 feet

ROSWELL, NM – Oct. 24, 2014 – Today, after 34 months of intense planning, development and training, Alan Eustace, supported by Paragon Space Development Corporation® (Paragon) and its Stratospheric Explorer (StratEx) team, made history with a near-space dive from a high-altitude balloon at approximately 135,000 feet. Eustace broke several records, including national record for highest exit altitude; world and national record for free fall under a drogue chute; national record for vertical speed. Additionally, he became the second person to break the sound barrier outside an aircraft.

Eustace was lifted to his peak altitude by a helium-filled scientific balloon while wearing a custom-made pressurized spacesuit. At over 135,000 feet, he began his dive, remaining in free fall for approximately 4.5 minutes before landing safely nearly 70 miles from his launch point.

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NASA Selects U.S. Firms to Provide Commercial Suborbital Flight Services

TUCSON, AZ (September 8, 2014) — NASA has selected four companies to integrate and fly technology payloads on commercial suborbital reusable platforms that carry payloads near the boundary of space. The selection is part of NASA’s continuing effort to foster a viable market for American commercial reusable suborbital platforms that allow testing of new space technologies within Earth’s atmosphere.

Through these new awards, selected companies will receive an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract for integration and flight services, drawing from a pool of commercial space companies. The three-year contracts have two-year extension options and a minimum value of $100,000. The flights will carry a variety of payloads during five diverse flight profiles to help meet the agency’s research and technology needs.

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Paragon Space Development Corporation® Supports Arizona Aerospace Association in Taking Technology to the Edge of Space

TUCSON, AZ (February 13, 2014) — Paragon Space development Corporation® announced in 2013 that it was entering a new line of business, commercial space travel. With the backing of several major investors, Paragon formed World View, which will give the public the opportunity to buy a seat on a commercial flight to the edge of Earth’s atmosphere. Other companies are planning similar ventures.

In order to attract commercial space ventures such as World View, Representatives Orr, Cardenas, Dial, Sherwood, Steele, Borrelli and Livingston introduced Bill HB 2163 Limited Liability: Space Flight Activities. Arizona will need to adopt such a bill, which several states (Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, California, Virginia and Florida) have already passed, to provide for a waiver of liability by passengers on such travel, under certain circumstances. The Texas Legislature passed such a bill in 2011, and the proposed bill HB2163 would adopt similar legislation in Arizona.

Federal regulations address the operation of space travel entities and establish requirements in terms of operating and licensing space travel activities. “Any space travel conducted by Paragon or World View has to comply with these Federal Aviation Administration requirements. One requirement includes notice to space travel participants regarding the risks of space travel activities. The proposed legislation describes notice to space travel participants regarding the risks of participating in space travel activities, establishes language that a space travel entity must include in any agreement if the space travel entity wants to obtain a liability waiver, and sets the terms, limits and conditions of such a waiver,” said Taber MacCallum, CEO of Paragon Space Development Corporation and CTO of World View Enterprises, Inc.

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Arizona Aerospace Discussion Panel

 

 

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