Nasa And Ecom Ecom Explore Z Box Applications For Shuttle Program

EDP Weekly's IT Monitor, Oct 8, 2001

R. C. Wilson, President of eCom eCom.com, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: ECEC), has announced that use of Z Box technology, the product of eCom eCom's Zyndecom joint venture, is being discussed with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Talks began on August 30, 2001, when eCom eCom was invited to NASA's Kennedy Space Center to discuss launch pad perimeter surveillance and space shuttle nondestructive failure analysis.

"Nondestructive failure analysis" refers to the identification and resolution of problems without the need for disassembly or other disruptive intervention. It is impractical for the multitude of contractors whose expertise supports the space shuttle program to maintain a constant physical presence at the Space Center. When problems arise, considerable time can be lost in the communication of information needed for analysis and solution. Such delays are costly for the American taxpayer. The real time computing capabilities of the Z Box, coupled with video, may allow NASA to create a "virtual presence" of the right people, where they are needed, in real time.

Those who attended eCom eCom's August 30 presentation at the Kennedy Space Center were enthusiastic about the possibilities. eCom eCom now is preparing a full scale demonstration with the goal of being ready in time for the launch vehicle processing of the December 2nd shuttle launch. Many decision makers will be available for VIP exposure to system trials. "While surveillance and nondestructive failure analysis are high profile issues for NASA that illustrate the need for our new model of computing, they're limited applications," said Wilson. "However, the system trials should enable these decision makers to gain an appreciation of how other real time systems and platforms can work together."

James DeLong, Vice President of Information Technology, added, "For now we're focusing just on the pad perimeter surveillance and nondestructive failure analysis systems. After the December 2nd launch of the space shuttle, we will continue to explore other applications at NASA. We're confident that world-wide knowledge of how the Z Box helps NASA will trigger the interest of many other organizations -- within both government and private sectors."