The Alpha launch vehicle: Designing performance in, cost out
Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha 2.0 launch vehicle, designed to deliver satellites into low Earth orbit, gets a composites makeover in pursuit of larger payload capacity and more cost-effective performance.
Hannah Mason
Associate Editor, CompositesWorld
Firefly Aerospace to automate composite rocket production with Ingersoll AFP machine
The company plans to transition manufacture of its Alpha and Beta all-composite launch vehicles to automated fiber placement starting in 2021.
Episode 34: Carmelo Lo Faro, Solvay Composite Materials
Carmelo Lo Faro, president of Solvay Composite Materials, talks about how he sees aerocomposites evolving in the time of COVID-19, the rise of computational power to evolve composites use, the prospects for increased composites use in the automotive market, and the increasing importance of education in the composites industry.
Firefly Aerospace announces new customer agreements, completed acceptance tests
One step closer to launch, the Alpha launch vehicle passed Stage One acceptance testing. Spire Global and Geometric Space signed on as Alpha customers.
Vega VV16 rocket launches with Bercella composites dispenser structure onboard
The CFRP dispenser structure, developed for the Small Spacecraft Mission Service (SSMS), was successfully launched for the European Space Agency.
Hexagon Purus to produce high-performance composite pressure vessels
The subsidary of Hexagon Composites has been awarded a contract to design, develop, qualify and produce for a new major aerospace company.
U.S. Department of the Air Force-Boeing X-37B team recognized for aerospace excellence
The team received the Robert J. Collier Trophy for advancing the performance, efficiency and safety of air and space vehicles.
Composites launch to Mars
NASA’s recently launched Perseverance rover and Ingenuity helicopter are supported by numerous composite materials and structures.
Hannah Mason
Associate Editor, CompositesWorld
HX5 thermoplastic nanocomposite presents an alternative to aluminum for space applications
Alpine Advanced Materials’ HX5 demonstrated retention of 96% mechanical performance with exposure to five million rads of gamma radiation.
NASA announces new James Webb Space Telescope target launch date
The observatory is expected to launch Oct. 31, 2021, a change resulting from technical challenges and the impact of the pandemic.
SpaceShipTwo completes second test flight
The VSS Unity’s second glide test continues collecting system evaluation and vehicle performance data to prepare the aircraft for powered spaceflights.
Boron fiber: The original high-performance fiber
History and future developments for high-performance boron fiber.
NASA rocket motors arrive at Kennedy Space Center for Artemis program
The rocket motors are the next step toward NASA’s Artemis I space launch in 2021.
Northrop Grumman awarded first crew module contract
The HALO module design is adapted from the Cygnus spacecraft designed by Northrop Grumman, and will serve as both crew habitat and docking hub for cislunar spacecraft.
Seeking inspiration in a virtual environment
In an increasingly digital world, how far can the virtual environment take us? Only so far, Dale Brosius says. At some point, we have to get real.
Dale Brosius
Contributing Writer, Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI)
Successful tower extension test for James Webb space telescope
The test ensured the tower extensions on NASA’s composites-intensive telescope would keep the structure cool enough to detect infrared light.
Satellite deployer redesign supported by 3D-printed composites
A Scottish technology company employs additive manufacturing and CRP Technology composite materials for a lighter, more manufacturable PocketQube deployer.
Anomalies force Virgin Orbit to terminate LauncherOne test
Despite the termination, the test flight provided data necessary to make adjustments for future launches.
Siemens Gamesa launches 14-MW offshore direct drive turbine
The SG 14-222 DD wind turbine 108-meter blades, a lightweight nacelle and more.
SpaceAM announces preliminary lineup for September event
A conference and exhibition highlighting the use of advanced materials in space technology is scheduled to take place Sept. 15-16, 2020 in Leicester, U.K.
Plant tour: Hexcel, Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
The scale, precision, speed and quality of carbon fiber manufacture has evolved substantially since the material’s modern introduction in the late 1960s. Hexcel offers a glimpse of the state of the art today.
Developing a linerless, all-composite, spherical cryotank
Infinite Composites Technologies’ Type V pressure vessel for storing cryogenic space launch vehicle propellants shows promise for eliminating elusive microcracking issues.
Hannah Mason
Associate Editor, CompositesWorld
Virgin Galactic, NASA sign space agreement
The Space Act Agreement (SAA) represents a partnership between Virgin Galactic and NASA for the development of high-speed, and environmentally sustainable, aviation technology.
Boeing-built X-37B launches in second mission for U.S. Space Force
The May 17 launch is the sixth mission for the autonomous spaceplane, and includes added payload capacity for support a variety of experiments.
NASA extends SLS rocket engines contract with Aerojet Rocketdyne
Under the $1.79 billion contract, Aerojet Rocketdyne will manufacture 18 additional Space Launch System (SLS) RS-25 rocket engines for Artemis missions.
NASA names companies to develop human landers for Artemis
Blue Origins, Dynetics and SpaceX are developing human landing systems concepts for Artemis’s 2024 moon mission.
Firefly, Spaceflight Inc. sign launch services agreement
The agreement promotes a long-term strategic collaboration between Firefly Aerospace and Spaceflight Inc. to address increasing demand in the commercial small-satellite market.
SpaceShipTwo completes New Mexico glide test
The VSS Unity’s successfully completed its first flight to test performance and handling characteristics, preparing for eventual commercial use.