Spectrum supplies laser marking system for use in manufacturing Mars lander

BRIDGEND, WALES – Lockheed Martin Space (Denver, CO) used the Nova laser marking equipment from laser wire and cable processing technology Spectrum Technologies to process and identify all the wiring in manufacturing the complex electrical wiring system for the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s (NASA JPL;
Pasadena, CA) Mars InSight lander, which started its descent toward the Martian surface on November 26, 2018. Spectrum Technologies supplied Lockheed Martin Space with a fully automated Nova UV laser wire marking system in 2014. The system is used in the initial stages of electrical harness production to laser-mark, measure, and cut wires to length (FIGURE).

The Nova UV laser wire marking system was used in electrical harness production to laser-mark, measure, and cut wires to length.

InSight, which stands for Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport, is designed to explore the deep interior of Mars. Lockheed Martin Space is the InSight prime contractor responsible for the complete spacecraft system. Following landing, the mission will survey the surrounding area and deploy the mission critical instruments. It will then begin its mission of observing Mars, which is planned to last for two years.

Apart from using the equipment for the InSight program, Lockheed Martin Space utilized the equipment for many other different programs, including the wiring produced for the Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the Orion program. The Nova 800 product range was specifically designed for complex aerospace wire harness manufacturing applications.

For more information, please visit www.spectrumtech.com.