Harris Corporation Audio/Video Equipment Will Provide Onboard Communications for International Space Station.

Business Editors/Technology Writers

MELBOURNE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 3, 2001

Advanced fiber-optic technology from Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) will provide sophisticated, digital voice and video communications for astronauts and scientists living onboard the U.S. Destiny Laboratory Module of the International Space Station (ISS) once installation is complete and the module is operational.

"Beginning with telemetry systems for Telstar and Minuteman in the 1950s, and continuing on to today's International Space Station audio/video distribution system (AVDS), Harris has supported nearly all major U.S. space programs," said Bob Henry, president, Harris Government Communications Systems Division (GCSD). "We are particularly proud to play such a key role in the International Space Station, which represents a whole new dimension in space exploration and international cooperation."

Harris produced the Internal Audio System (IAS) and the Internal Video Distribution Subsystem (IVDS) as part of the fiber-optic communications networks installed by Boeing. The first phase of the Harris system was delivered to the ISS in early February onboard Space Shuttle Atlantis.

Once operational, IAS will provide audio communications between individual ISS crewmembers within the station, as well as communication with Earth, docked shuttles, and crewmembers engaged in extravehicular activity or working at Individual Science Payload Rack (ISPR) locations. The IAS enables multi-station audio conferences, as well as private, point-to-point conversations with members on the station or with operations on Earth. The IAS also carries five critical Caution and Warning (C&W) tones that alert crewmembers to emergency situations.

The IVDS makes it possible for video signals generated by cameras, the ground, or video recorders to be distributed to all elements of the station for display on monitors, recording, or transmission to Earth. The subsystem contains video fiber-optic transmitters and receivers that are used to convert standard NTSC video to Pulsed Frequency Modulated (PFM) video for transmission over the fiber-optic bus. The IVD subsystem also contains (16 X 15) fiber-optic input/output video switches that enable the video signal to be routed to single or multiple users.

Harris GCSD conducts advanced research studies, develops prototypes, and produces state-of-the-art airborne, spaceborne, and terrestrial communications and information processing systems for military and government agencies, their prime contractors, and the company's commercial businesses, as well as to select commercial organizations worldwide.

Harris Corporation is an international communications equipment company focused on providing product, system and service solutions that take its customers to the next level. The company provides a wide range of products and services for wireless, broadcast, network support, and government markets. Harris has sales and service facilities in more than 90 countries. Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at www.harris.com.