Sidus Space Inc (NASDAQ:SIDU) has announced the successful completion of what it called a “ground breaking” space flight mission involving its External Flight Test Platform (EFTP).
The Space and Defense-as-a-Service satellite company said in November 2019, twelve 3D-printed ceramic samples were sent to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the Sidus Space EFTP, in which the ceramic samples were then exposed to space weather and radiation environment for about 260 days in support of a study performed by Alfred University.
Upon return, the samples were evaluated for radiation damage and structural integrity by examining their mechanical properties, according to the company.
“We are pleased to be able to use EFTP to support valuable research to inform future spacecraft design as our years of spaceflight heritage have done so to this point,” Sidus Space CEO Carol Craig said in a statement.
Sidus noted its EFTP, a highly reconfigurable external testing platform, provides the ability to develop, test, and fly experiments, hardware, materials, and advanced electronics from the ISS at a reduced cost and schedule, while providing opportunities to conduct microgravity research in space.
The company added that the EFTP allows for rapid on-orbit testing and payload return, increase Technology Readiness Level (TRL) ability and because payloads are returned, a detailed post-mission analysis of effects of the space environment is possible.
Sidus Space is a Space and Defense-as-a-Service satellite company focused on mission-critical hardware manufacturing; multi-disciplinary engineering services; satellite design, production, launch planning, mission operations and in-orbit support.
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