COMPOSITE STRUCTURES FOR LARGE ASYMMETRIC PAYLOAD FAIRINGS

摘要

Composite materials have demonstrated significant benefits in Air Force aircraft and launch vehicles including improved range, speed, payload capability, and stealth. Factors limiting broader use of composites include high processing cost, service life, and in some cases process equipment size limitations. There is a case to be made for thermoplastic isogrid composite payload fairings having a very high payoff for the next generation of launch vehicles for the Air Force and NASA. Composite isogrid fairings are an attractive alternative to traditional thermoset skin over core constructions as a result of their lower weight potential and better environmental resistance. Thermoplastic grid structures are a further improvement because of their greater toughness and through the Foster-Miller's proprietary process, significantly reduced tooling requirements. The economics of fabricating such a structure would be highly attractive to the Air Force.