Abstract: Provided herein are various improvements to launch vehicle payload systems, such as employed to launch and deploy secondary payloads into orbit. In one example, a system includes a fairing configured to encase a payload within an envelope of a primary fairing of a launch vehicle, and a mount system configured to adapt a mounting port for the payload to a mounting port associated with the launch vehicle. The system also includes a fairing door configured to be commanded open for deployment of the payload after the primary fairing has open.

Abstract: Provided herein are various improvements to launch vehicle payload systems, such as employed to launch and deploy secondary payloads into orbit. In one example, a system includes a fairing configured to encase a payload within an envelope of a primary fairing of a launch vehicle, and a mount system configured to adapt a mounting port for the payload to a mounting port associated with the launch vehicle. The system also includes a fairing door configured to be commanded open for deployment of the payload after the primary fairing has open.

Abstract: A grid component for use with a vacuum electron device (VED), such as an inductive output tube (IOT), includes a skirt that adds structural support and aids in alignment. The grid component has a dome in which a grid pattern is formed and includes an annular, concentric flange surrounding the dome. The skirt is formed concentrically around the flange. Alignment orifices may be provided in the flange for passage of alignment pins in the assembled product. The grid, flange, and skirt are a unitary component and are formed by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or similar process, in which a mandrel is used to provide a deposition surface. The mandrel is placed in a furnace, and a high-temperature CVD process is used to break down a hydrocarbon gas to thereby deposit a pyrolytic graphite coating onto the mandrel. The mandrel may include a skirt template to provide the characteristic skirt.

Abstract: A grid component for use with a vacuum electron device (VED), such as an inductive output tube (IOT), includes a skirt that adds structural support and aids in alignment. The grid component has a dome in which a grid pattern is formed and includes an annular, concentric flange surrounding the dome. The skirt is formed concentrically around the flange. Alignment orifices may be provided in the flange for passage of alignment pins in the assembled product. The grid, flange, and skirt are a unitary component and are formed by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or similar process, in which a mandrel is used to provide a deposition surface. The mandrel is placed in a furnace, and a high-temperature CVD process is used to break down a hydrocarbon gas to thereby deposit a pyrolytic graphite coating onto the mandrel. The mandrel may include a skirt template to provide the characteristic skirt.