Honeywell Navigation Unit Helps Successful Mars Landing

Seventh NASA Mars Mission with Honeywell Technology

(Phoenix, May 28, 2008) -- Honeywell (NYSE:HON) announced today that its Miniature Inertial Measurement Units (MIMUs) helped successfully guide NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander to a safe landing May 25th on the planet's surface.


Honeywell MIMUs, each of which weighs approximately nine pounds and measure 6.6 inches in height and nine inches in diameter, provide data to assist the vehicle guidance. The units have contributed to the success of several commercial and military satellite and space exploration programs.

"Launched by NASA in 2007, Phoenix is the first mission to the Martian polar regions to analyze soil and ice using a robotic arm and other equipment," said Dave Douglass, Vice President, Honeywell Space. "Because of adverse conditions on the planet and in its atmosphere, landing on Mars is incredibly challenging. Honeywell technology ensured a safe descent through the planet's atmosphere after the spacecraft's 10-month cruise to Mars. The landing was a fantastic accomplishment for the NASA spacecraft and for Honeywell.

"This mission marked the seventh time Honeywell technologies were on a scientific mission to Mars. We are proud of this accomplishment - and expect that our long legacy of developing the components and systems that enable NASA human and research missions will continue to grow," Douglass said.

Source : Honeywell