Nothing fishy about space technology improving performance of reels and rods

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Jun. 8, 2006) — The same lubricant technology that ensures the space shuttle is delivered safely to its launch pad can now be used by anglers for improved reel care and performance. The Space Foundation announced today that Penn Synthetic Reel Oil, Precision Reel Grease, and Rod and Reel Cleaner are officially recognized by the Space Foundation’s Space Certification Program. PENN Fishing Tackle Mfg. Company of Philadelphia, Pa., and The X-1R Corporation of Daytona Beach, Fla., worked together to develop these products based on the lubricity technology X-1R pioneered for NASA’s use on the 12 million pound payload space shuttle crawler. The complete line from PENN now can use the Certified Space Technology ™ seal, recognizing its ties to the space program. “We are very pleased to share the technology that X-1R has and to license the new Penn Lubricants line under a Co-Brand label of PENN/X-1R and honored to be accepted as a Certified Space Technology partner,” says David Martin, Penn’s chief executive officer. In 2003, engineers from Penn and X-1R developed an advanced lubricant technology that provides anglers with optimum lubrication for longer casting and smoother retrieval and protection against corrosion and rust. Penn is a leading manufacturer of fishing tackle since 1933. The X-1R Corporation is a specialty chemical company known for its full line of performance automotive lubricants and fuel additives. “The challenge was formulating the products for the marine environment, which would work in both fresh and salt water applications. Most marine equipment is subjected to a variety of extreme conditions such as prolonged exposure to the sun and the corrosive nature of salt and water. The lubricants we developed for NASA had to meet the same stringent demands, so we were able to develop products for Penn that are far superior to anything on the market today,” said Edwin “E.T.” Longo, Director, Special Projects Development at The X-1R Corporation. For further information, visit www.x1r.com/penn_home.htm. About the Space Certification Program Since the dawn of the space era, the world’s best engineers at NASA and other space agencies have been developing advanced technologies that fuel space exploration and also result in a number of applications that improve life on Earth. The Space Certification Program, managed by the Space Foundation in cooperation with NASA, provides official recognition for qualified products and services incorporating those space technologies. For more information, visit www.SpaceConnection.org. About The X-1R Corporation The X-1R Corporation produces lubricants for applications that range from automobiles to equipment used in manufacturing to the largest marine ice breakers in the world to the sportsman’s gear used every weekend for recreation. X-1R is the only Certified Space Technology Lubricant in the world today and one of the elite inductees into the Space Technology Hall of Fame. For further information visit: www.x1r.com. About PENN Fishing Tackle Mfg. Company Penn is the biggest name in fishing. Since 1933, Penn has manufactured all types of fishing tackle, including rods, reels, downriggers, hooks, and other accessories. For further information visit: www.pennreels.com. About the Space Foundation Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, the Space Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that vigorously advances civil, commercial, and national security space endeavors and educational excellence. The Space Foundation has offices in Washington, D.C., and Cape Canaveral, Fla. The Space Foundation’s signature event, the National Space Symposium, is scheduled for April 9-12, 2007, at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo. Along with partnering organizations, the Space Foundation also conducts Strategic Space and Defense, 10-12 Oct. 2006 in Omaha, Neb.; and Florida Space, Dec. 5-7, 2006, in Orlando, Fla. For more information, visit www.SpaceFoundation.org.