Global InformationLGarde information
  | |
| Company type | Private Company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Founders | Bill Larkin, Gayle Bilyeu, Alan Hirasuna, Rick Walstrom, Don Davis |
| Headquarters | 15181 Woodlawn Ave, Tustin, CA 92780 |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Deployable Antennas, Space Propulsion, Space Structures, Missile Defense Targets and Countermeasures |
| Website | [1] |
LGarde, also L'Garde or L·Garde, is an American aerospace and defense technology company founded in 1971 in Orange County, CA[1] and is the primary contractor for the Sunjammer spacecraft, the world largest solar sail.[2] The company was an early pioneer of thin-skinned, multi-task inflatable structures used in various military and space applications.[3] At the height of the Cold War, L·Garde developed and manufactured inflatable targets and decoy systems for U.S. military defense, and countermeasure systems for the Strategic Defense Initiative (Star Wars).[4] After the Cold-War, the company used the technologies and manufacturing techniques it had developed to land a contract to design and build the inflatable antenna experiment[5][6] and other thin-film inflatable space structures using its unique application of rigidizable tube technology.[7] The company's unusual name is an acronym formed by the initials of the founding partners: Bill Larkin, Gayle Bilyeu, Alan Hirasuna, Rich Walstrom, Don Davis. The "E" comes from the Latin term "et al" (and others) as a tip to other partners and original employees of the company.[1]
- ^ a b "LGarde Website". LGarde, Inc. Archived from the original on 2 September 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
- ^ David, Leonard (31 January 2013). "NASA to Launch World's Largest Solar Sail in 2014". Space.com. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
- ^ Takahashi, Dean (9 May 1990). "Trial Balloons : L'Garde Plans 'Space Art' for Goodwill Games". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
- ^ Christian, Susan; Cristina Lee (24 January 1992). "O.C.'s Military Contractors Are Vulnerable but Hopeful". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
- ^ "NASA Chief Technologist to Visit Tustin's L'Garde Inc Thursday". NASA News. 9 March 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
- ^ Cohn, Meredith (22 May 1996). "Technology on the Rise: Tustin Firm's Inflatable Antenna Passes a Key Test in Orbit". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
- ^ Lichodziejewski, D; G Veal; R Helms; R Freeland; M Kruer. "Inflatable Rigidizable Solar Array for Small Satellites" (PDF). Defense Technical Information Center. Department of Defense. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2013.