Engineered Materials Group
Composite Sealing Systems (CSS) Division
Pioneering the Cosmos: Parker CSS Division's Indispensable Role in NASA's Artemis Missions
Meet the Expert: A Conversation with Paul Yetter ⎯ New Product Development & Design Engineer
June 20, 2023
At Parker, we believe in the power of collaboration and innovation. In a recent interview, we sat down with Paul Yetter, a seasoned product design engineer at the Composite Sealing Systems (CSS) Division of Parker Hannifin, to discuss the company's contribution to NASA's Artemis missions.
Fueling passion through mission
Yetter’s favorite space mission is the Artemis Program, not just for its scientific importance, but also for its personal significance; the first man landed on the Moon on July 20, the same date as Yetter's wedding anniversary. Yetter sees the Artemis Program as a catalyst for inspiring a new generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.
The role of CSS in space exploration
The CSS division at Parker Hannifin is an integral part of the space industry, specializing in designing seals and sealing systems for mission-critical applications. The design process begins with understanding the requirements from the customer, often NASA, and translating these into design parameters for material selection and design.
The uniqueness of Parker’s CSS products
The CSS division's primary products for space applications include specifically engineered and source-controlled designs. They include highly customized bonded sealing solutions that incorporate elastomers bonded to rigid carriers, and other types of seals. These mission critical seals are distinguished by their elastomeric sealing elements, proprietary high integrity bonding processes, and metal retainers.
Parker CSS stands out from the competition due to a combination of factors, including Parker's extensive design expertise and legacy experience, as well as their over 60 years of experience in engineering, manufacturing, and mission-critical integrity. Specifically, Parker's CSS products are highly versatile and adaptable, with the ability to handle large diameter, non-planar, irregularly shaped, and high-performance applications.
Critical applications of CSS products in space
In the extreme environment of space, the reliability of these seals becomes essential. CSS products are critical in maintaining life support systems, preserving the atmosphere in the capsule or space station, and ensuring the proper functionality of crucial sensors and equipment.
Breakthroughs and innovations
The durability of the seals is paramount given the Artemis missions' ambition to land on Mars, requiring equipment that can function optimally for at least three years. Parker has achieved significant breakthroughs in material and design innovation to meet these challenges, including the development of an additive to protect the seal from radiation in space and the application of a surface treatment to prevent the material from sticking to the mating hardware.
Pride in success
Yetter’s pride in Parker's work in space is palpable when a mission is successful due to the performance of a CSS product. This success reflects the collective efforts of a dedicated team working together to solve complex problems and create world-class products that enable the exploration of new frontiers.
Parker continues to push the boundaries of what's possible, making it an indispensable part of NASA's Artemis missions and setting the stage for the next era of space exploration.
Stay tuned for more Meet the Expert features, as we continue to showcase the talented individuals who make Parker CSS a leader in material science and innovative, engineered sealing solutions.
Paul Yetter, aerospace design engineer at Parker Hannifin CSS Division
Customized bonded sealing solutions for mission-critical space applications
Shannon Fairbourn Johnson
Marketing Communications Manager
Parker Engineered Materials Group, CSS Division
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