05/03/2010

Petersburg, MI; SYS-TEC Corporation and NASA have completed a testing program where 2D Datamatrix marked samples, coated with Shield Products Superior Shield, were flown into space and affixed to the International Space Station.  The test program was called MISSE 6.  The marks were made using various marking processes on a small, round aluminum discs.  Two of each mark were made, one for flight, and one for test standard.  All marks were graded using an electronic verification system so comparisons could be made post flight.  The discs were then placed in a Passive Experiment Container (PEC) that was flown into space on a space shuttle orbiter Endeavor on March 11, 2008.  These cases were attached to the outside of the International Space Station.  These marks were left exposed to the harsh environments of space for 18 months.  Atomic oxygen, solar UV radiation, and spatial impact are just some of the conditions that these marks were exposed to.  The marked samples were retrieved by space shuttle Discovery and brought back to Earth on September 11, 2009.  They were then inspected for damage or deterioration and graded using the same verification equipment.   Upon inspection, all marks that were coated with Super Shield looked just as they had pre-flight.  They received the same grades as they had initially.  Comparable marks that were not coated were unreadable or faded to a point where you couldn’t see the mark anymore. 

"Superior Shield exceeded our expectations.  It is now our standard product for all government and commercial clear coat applications”, says Richard Perron, President of SYS-TEC