United Technologies' Hamilton Sundstrand Unit a Member of 2009 Collier Trophy-Winning Team

WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn., May 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A space consortium that includes Hamilton Sundstrand has won the 2009 Robert J. Collier Trophy for its work in the design, development and assembly of the International Space Station. Hamilton Sundstrand is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

The National Aeronautic Association announced its selection of the International Space Station team as the Collier Trophy winner at a recent luncheon. It honored the team for the "design, development, and assembly of the world's largest spacecraft, an orbiting laboratory that promises new discoveries for mankind and sets new standards for international cooperation in space." The Collier Trophy was formally presented at the Annual Collier Dinner on May 13, in Arlington, Virginia.

The Collier Trophy-winning International Space Station team consists of the National Aeronautic and Space Administration, the Boeing Co., Charles Stark Draper Labs, Honeywell Corp., Lockheed Martin Corp., United Space Alliance and United Technologies Corp.'s Hamilton Sundstrand business.

"The Collier Trophy is a prestigious honor that chronicles some of the most significant milestones in aviation's history," said Hamilton Sundstrand President Alain Bellemare. "Hamilton Sundstrand is extremely proud to be part of the team recognized for its work to make the International Space Station a world-renowned success."

Hamilton Sundstrand's Space Systems organization provides a number of systems and components for the International Space Station, including those that control electrical power and process water, waste and air. Those systems include the water processor assembly, water pump package, common cabin air assembly, cabin fan assembly, bacterial filter assembly, oxygen generator assembly, extravehicular mobility unit (space suit), avionics air assembly, electric power control unit, pump and flow control sub-assembly. In addition to life support and thermal control hardware, Hamilton Sundstrand Rocketdyne developed the electrical power system for the International Space Station from the solar arrays to the "outlets" providing power to the International Space Station equipment.

The Collier Trophy is awarded annually "…for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space vehicles, the value of which has been thoroughly demonstrated by actual use during the preceding year." The list of Collier winners represents a timeline of aviation, as most of the awardees mark major events in the history of flight.

Hamilton Sundstrand, a partner in America's space program since its inception, also provides a number of power and environmental control systems for the space shuttle and the Orion crew exploration vehicle now under development. Hamilton Sundstrand has been the prime contractor to NASA for the space suit since the shuttle era began in 1981.

With 2009 revenues of $5.6 billion, Hamilton Sundstrand is headquartered in Windsor Locks, Conn. Among the world's largest suppliers of technologically advanced aerospace and industrial products, the company designs, manufactures and services aerospace systems and provides integrated system solutions for commercial, regional, corporate and military aircraft. It also is a major supplier for international space programs.

United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the building and aerospace industries worldwide.

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SOURCE Hamilton Sundstrand