Connecticut-based aerospace company celebrated for 190 years of ingenuity and its essential contribution to NASA's historic Artemis II mission
HARTFORD, CT, UNITED STATES, September 14, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Yesterday, Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense (EBAD) was formally welcomed into the American Manufacturing Hall of Fame during the Connecticut Manufacturing Innovation Forum at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. Accepting the award on the company's behalf was Lisa Brown, EBAD's Market Segment Director for Launch Vehicles. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal delivered the induction, joined by Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Chief Manufacturing Officer Kirti Patel.
This recognition highlights EBAD's 190-year history of manufacturing excellence in Simsbury, a legacy that traces back to 1836 when William Bickford created the safety fuse, along with the company's vital contributions as a supplier for NASA's Artemis II mission. Throughout Artemis II—the first crewed voyage beyond low Earth orbit in over five decades—hardware designed and built by EBAD operated flawlessly. The nearly 10-day journey, which began April 1, 2026, saw four astronauts cover approximately 1.4 million miles, setting a new record of 252,756 miles from Earth before their safe return. EBAD supplied the critical separation hardware that enabled the Crew Module of Orion to detach from its Service Module, an essential step prior to the astronauts' homecoming.
"Whether looking back at our origins here in Connecticut or ahead at our role as a leading force in Space and Defense across three states, our people have always been the constant," remarked Lisa Brown, Market Segment Director for Launch Vehicles at EBAD. "Generation after generation has brought creativity, skill, and dedication to EBAD – and today, that work supports some of the most challenging and vital missions worldwide. …. We take immense pride in our Connecticut heritage, in the foundation we've established here, and in the opportunities that lie ahead."
The Connecticut Manufacturing Innovation Forum, hosted by the Connecticut Office of Manufacturing, gathered manufacturers, educators, and state officials to discuss the technologies, strategies, and workforce initiatives shaping the sector's future. EBAD sponsored the event alongside RBC Bearings, Trumpf, CLA and Raymond James, with Fox61 serving as the media partner.
Established in 2014, the American Manufacturing Hall of Fame celebrates Connecticut's rich manufacturing and innovation heritage, honoring a state that has been a cradle of invention for more than 350 years — from the helicopter and the nuclear submarine to the first spacesuit worn on the Moon. americanmanufacturinghof.com
About Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense (EBAD)
Since 1836, Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense has stood as a pioneer in technology and a frontrunner in energetic solutions for aerospace and defense, delivering innovations that place people and satellites into orbit and safeguard armed forces worldwide. With headquarters in Simsbury, Connecticut, and engineering and manufacturing facilities in Moorpark, California and Graham, Kentucky, EBAD has provided initiation, separation, and flight-destruct hardware for commercial and government launches for nearly 60 years, and its satellite hold-down and release mechanisms have been deployed on more than 500 platforms. EBAD is right for your mission. Find out more at ebad.com.
Kathy Beazley
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