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RUAG Space: First fully U.S.-made fairing to fly into space by Staff Writers Kennedy Space Center FL (SPX) Dec 06, 2021
On Sun., Dec. 5, a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will launch the Space Test Program (STP)-3 mission for the U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) from Cape Canaveral, Fla. "This flight is a key milestone for us," said Dan Merenda, managing director RUAG Space USA. "For the very first time, a fully U.S.-made fairing from us will fly into space." It is also the first time a payload fairing made in the Out-of-Autoclave production process will fly aboard an Atlas V rocket. "The Out-of-Autoclave manufacturing method is an alternative process to cure carbon fiber composites using only an oven," said Dan Merenda. It avoids a high-pressure autoclave that is expensive and restricts the size of pieces that can fit inside. A fairing is made of two half-shells. Its structure is made with composite technology based on aluminum honeycomb cores with carbon fiber reinforced plastic face sheets. Its role is to protect the payloads (satellites) on ascent through the atmosphere.
Fairings made in Decatur, Alabama The STP-3 launch marks the 90th launch of the Atlas V rocket. In the future, it will be succeeded by the Vulcan Centaur rocket, for which RUAG Space will also supply the U.S.-manufactured out-of-autoclave fairings. In addition to the payload fairing, RUAG Space will supply payload attachment fittings, interstage adapters and other composite parts for the Vulcan rocket using out-of-autoclave technology. All products will be manufactured in Decatur.
Rocket Lab readies Electron for lift-off in fastest launch turnaround yet Long Beach CA (SPX) Dec 02, 2021 Rocket Lab USA has revealed its next Electron mission is scheduled to take place during a launch window that opens on December 7, 2021, fewer than three weeks since Rocket Lab's most recent mission on November 18, 2021. These two missions for BlackSky occur 19 days apart and represent Rocket Lab's quickest turnaround in its launch history. The "A Data With Destiny" mission for BlackSky managed through global launch services provider Spaceflight Inc., will be Rocket Lab's 23rd Electron launch and s ... read more
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