Shear suit.A Torrance aerospace firm is set to go to trial next month in a lawsuit against NASA's top contractor for its Space Shuttle space shuttle, reusable U.S. space vehicle. Developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), it consists of a winged orbiter, two solid-rocket boosters, and an external tank. , alleging it helped steal the designs for an integral component on the space vehicle for a competing firm. Hi-Shear Technology Corp. seeks $11 million in compensatory damages A sum of money awarded in a civil action by a court to indemnify a person for the particular loss, detriment, or injury suffered as a result of the unlawful conduct of another. from United Space Alliance for allegedly giving the company's list of subcontractors for its "separation bolts" to Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Co. The Chandler, Ariz.-based company then made use of the vendors and their knowledge of the bolts to win a contract with United Space five years ago, the suit alleges. Separation bolts are an integral space shuttle component, holding the external fuel tank and the solid rocket booster Solid rocket boosters (SRB) (or motors, SRM) are used to provide the main thrust in spacecraft launches from the launchpad up to burnout of the SRBs. Many launch vehicles include SRBs, including the Ariane 5, Atlas V, and the NASA Space Shuttle. in place during takeoff. They later fracture on command, allowing the booster to fall back to earth. United Space is a joint venture of Boeing Co. and Lockheed Martin For the former company, see . Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is a leading multinational aerospace manufacturer and advanced technology company formed in 1995 by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta. Corp. The case is scheduled for trial July 5 in the 18th Judicial Circuit Court in Brevard County, Fla. "(United Space) expressly represented to Hi-Shear that its only purpose for obtaining this vendor list was to conduct a routine quality assurance evaluation of Hi-Shear's performance under the contracts," the suit states. "Contrary to its representations ... (United Space) provided it to Pacific Scientific and other third parties to facilitate the replacement of Hi-Shear as the supplier of separation bolts for the Space Shuttle." Until March 2000, Hi-Shear's bolts had been used on every Space Shuttle mission. At that time, United Space began to solicit Hi-Shear's sub-tier vendors to perform the same work for Pacific, the suit states. Defense attorney Mike Levin, a partner with Orlando-based Baker & Hostetler LLP LLP - Lower Layer Protocol , denied that United Space committed any wrongdoing wrong·do·er n. One who does wrong, especially morally or ethically. wrong  do . Staff reporter Amanda Bronstad can be reached at (323) 549-5225, ext. 225, or at abronstad@labusinessjournal.com. Staff reporter David Greenberg The creator of this article, or someone who has substantially contributed to it, may have a conflict of interest regarding its subject matter. It may require cleanup to comply with Wikipedia's content policies, particularly neutral point of view. contributed to this column. |
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