Quasonix Telemetry Solutions Chosen by Space Exploration Technologies Corporation

Business Wire, Oct 16, 2008

Transmitters and Receivers to Provide Telemetry During Flight Tests

WEST CHESTER, Ohio -- Quasonix, LLC, developer of high performance aeronautical telemetry systems, announced today that the company has been awarded a fixed price contract from Space Exploration Technologies Corporation ("SpaceX") of Hawthorne, California to provide telemetry transmitters and receivers in support of SpaceX's Falcon 9 launch vehicle and Dragon spacecraft programs.

"We're pleased to play a role in SpaceX's drive to increase the reliability and reduce the cost of space transportation by a factor of ten. Our telemetry products offer remarkable performance and value, so they are a natural fit for this mission," said Terry Hill, President and Chief Scientist of Quasonix.

Under the terms of the contract, Quasonix will supply 26 TIMTER[TM] Multi-mode Digital Telemetry Transmitters and 19 RDMS[TM] Multi-mode Airborne Telemetry Receivers for a series of planned flight tests, which are critical milestones in SpaceX's burgeoning space transportation business.

The Quasonix TIMTER Transmitter provides performance and value in a small, robust, power-efficient package. Offered with three waveforms of increasing performance, PCM/FM, SOQPSK-TG, and Multi-h CPM - also known as ARTM (Advanced Range Telemetry) Tiers 0, I, and II - the transmitter can support both legacy and more advanced telemetry systems at bit rates of up to 28 Mbps. Furthermore, the TIMTER draws far less current than comparable products, which is ideal for power-constrained applications. Quasonix' RDMS Airborne Receiver features an integral downconverter, ARTM demodulator, and bit synchronizer in a diminutive 12 cubic inch, flight-ready package. With support for bit rates up to 46 Mbps and a noise figure of less than 5 dB, the RDMS outperforms all other ARTM airborne receivers on the market.

SpaceX chose Quasonix as the prime telemetry systems supplier following an extensive evaluation. The evaluation was culminated with successful testing at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, which included communications relay testing through the TDRSS (Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System).

"Quasonix is a world-class manufacturer of high performance, aeronautical telemetry systems and we are pleased to be working with them," said Elon Musk, CEO and CTO of SpaceX. "We look forward to a long and mutually prosperous partnership."

About Quasonix

Quasonix designs, develops, and manufactures high performance aeronautical telemetry systems and is a recognized industry leader for spectrally efficient modulations such as SOQPSK and Multi-h CPM. Quasonix' advanced product line extends from the air to the ground and includes transmitters, receivers, and demodulators with integral bit synchronizers. Through product developments yielding inimitable performance and value, Quasonix is Reinventing Telemetry[TM]. Learn more at www.quasonix.com.

About SpaceX

SpaceX is developing a family of launch vehicles intended to increase the reliability and reduce the cost of both manned and unmanned space transportation, ultimately by a factor of ten. With its Falcon line of launch vehicles, powered by the internally developed Merlin engines, SpaceX is able to offer light, medium and heavy lift capabilities to deliver spacecraft into any inclination and altitude, from low Earth orbit to geosynchronous orbit to planetary missions.

As winner of the NASA Commercial Orbital Transportation Services competition, SpaceX will conduct three flights of its Falcon 9 launch vehicle and Dragon spacecraft for NASA. This will culminate in Dragon berthing with the International Space Station and returning safely to Earth. Falcon 9/Dragon will have the opportunity to provide crew and supply services to the Space Station, and fill the gap in US resupply capability when the Shuttle retires in 2010.