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Eagle-Picher Powers Mars Exploration

15 July 1997

Eagle-Picher Powers Mars Exploration

    CINCINNATI, July 15 -- Eagle-Picher Industries, headquartered
in Cincinnati, OH, is playing an integral role in the Discovery Program,
America's current exploration of Mars, which is being managed by NASA and the
Jet Propulsion Laboratory.  Eagle-Picher Technologies Division, based in
Joplin, Missouri, has provided key components of the power systems for the
Mars Global Surveyor, the Mars Pathfinder and the Sojourner (the rover vehicle
on the Pathfinder).
    For the Mars Pathfinder, launched December 4, 1996, Eagle-Picher provided
the thin polished germanium substrates for the solar cell arrays which power
the Pathfinder.  The solar power system consists of three solar panels, each
35.5 square feet, designed to gather power from the Sun to generate
electricity.  The solar cell substrates are made from the element "germanium",
witch occurs in zinc, copper and coal ores and is extracted for a variety of
uses.  Eagle-Picher Technologies Division is recognized as the world's leading
manufacturer of germanium products for numerous commercial and government
applications.  The solar power system is backed up by a battery system which
provides power to the Pathfinder as it travels the night side of the planet.
Eagle-Picher also produced the solar cell substrates and backup power for the
Sojourner, the Mars Pathfinder rover, a six-wheel drive vehicle, which is just
26 inches long, 19 inches wide and 12 inches high.  This microrover is also
powered by a solar panel and a back-up battery system that includes Eagle-
Picher's lithium batteries.
    In addition, Eagle-Picher produced the thermal battery used to actuate the
parachute on the Mars Pathfinder, allowing it to land safely on Mars' rocky
surface.  Eagle-Picher's Technologies Division is known as the world leader in
aerospace battery design and manufacturing.
    The Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft, launched in November 1996, is powered
by two nickel-hydrogen batteries produced by Eagle-Picher.  These batteries
power the spacecraft as it passes over the night side of the planet.
Otherwise, the Global Surveyor is powered by two solar arrays which gather
energy from the Sun to power the spacecraft as it flies over the day side of
the planet.  The two batteries systems are extremely compact (about the size
of a VCR) and weigh less than 30 pounds each.  Eagle-Picher's nickel-hydrogen
battery system is recognized for its long life, reliability and durability.
This system has logged more hours in space than any other and is the preferred
battery system for space flight, as well as scientific and commercial
satellite applications.
    Eagle-Picher Industries is a diversified manufacturer of hundreds of
industrial products for the aerospace, automotive, defense, construction and
other industrial markets worldwide.  The Company operates more than 50 plants
and employs more than 7,000 people around the world.  Eagle-Picher is proud to
be part of the Mars exploration team.

SOURCE  Eagle-Picher Industries