Man-rated Space Flight and FAA Qual Testing

Providing Critical Testing and Analysis in Support of Manned Space Flight

For more than two decades, Southern Research has assumed an integral role in providing diverse test development capabilities in support of man-rated space flight. Working in conjunction with NASA, our highly skilled and experienced engineers have utilized Southern Research's distinctive extreme-temperature testing facility to perform high-temperature materials evaluations up to 5,000° F. Data from these evaluations have provided critical information leading to the selection of heat-shield materials used in the Apollo space mission. As a key area of distinctive expertise at Southern Research, extreme-temperature testing and analysis has also been utilized to test materials in support of the NASA Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters and heat shield program as well as several other manned and unmanned space vehicle platforms.

In addition to providing a range of materials testing in support of space vehicle platforms, Southern Research served as a key partner in NASA's return-to-flight program after the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia in 2003. Our skilled engineers performed critical materials testing and analyses, providing key data for the effort that resumed the U.S. Space Shuttle program with the launch of Discovery in July 2005. Southern Research testing and analyses included:

• High-temperature materials evaluations
• Materials impact testing
• Pre- and post-testing and evaluation of leading edge
• Development of leading edge repair techniques

FAA Qualification Testing Capabilities

Southern Research has conducted coupon and component testing for FAA conformance and qualification on major commercial aircraft. Our ISO 9001 quality system, combined with rigorous instrumentation and testing techniques utilized by experienced technicians, enables us to provide the highest quality of FAA conformance testing available. Every test program is managed by experience, degreed engineers with expertise in the materials and test types involved. Additionally, our engineers are adept at interfacing with FAA inspectors and vendor quality personnel to insure that all requirements are met in a timely manner.