East Aurora, N.Y. (WBEN)...Like so many others. Jim Steffan was glued to the TV set Wednesday to watch the Artemis II launch.
And, with good reason.
Steffan is Moog Inc.'s Actuation Systems program director - meaning he led a team that provided NASA with a deep array of technical devices that are playing a critical role in Artemis II's 10-day mission.
"From tip to tail, we have a lot of things covered," Steffan said.
Among the systems and devices developed by Moog (NYSE: MOG A and MOG B) include:
*Thrust vector control systems that helped steer and guide Artemis II during its ascent.
* Launch abort system actuators - a network that could rapidly pull the capsule's crew to safety in the event of an emergency.
"Luckily, we didn't need that," Steffan said.
* Fluid control and actuation technologies that help support propulsion and stabilization.
* Mobile launch pad actuators that help retract walkways and the capsule's umbilical connections at liftoff.
Steffan said everything Moog developed was done in East Aurora and was created for NASA more than three years ago.
In fact, Moog's engineers and other support staff are already working on future Artemis and other NASA launches.
The relationship between Moog and NASA goes back to the 1960s and the original Apollo moon missions.
"It is very satisfying," Steffan said. "NASA could pick any firm, yet, we have a long standing relationship and that matters."
East Aurora firm has a strong relationship with NASA
