18 Aug 2005
Astronaut Visits IEI

NASA Astronaut Michael Good visited Irvine Electronics on August 18th to meet the employees of IEI, who are supporting the Return to Space Program, as well as IEI customers, vendors, and their children, and members of the Irvine community, including Irvine Mayor Beth Krom. Lieutenant Colonel Michael T. Good, USAF, NASA Astronaut is a Distinguished Graduate from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree. To date, he has logged over 2,000 hours in more than 30 different aircraft, including the B-2 Stealth Bomber. His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (4), Aerial Achievement Medal (2), Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, and the Combat Readiness Medal. He was selected as a mission specialist by NASA in July 2000. IEI was awarded a multi year contract to build the Power Transfer Unit (PTU) for the Space Shuttle through Pratt Whitney/ Rocketdyne in 2004. The PTU is a key component that will provide the means for extended stays in space. Irvine Electronics, with its NASA trained and certified production personnel, has been contracted to build the PTU systems, which require special aerospace quality skills.