Abstract: A fairing assembly for an aerial vehicle having a tank that forms a body of the vehicle and a wing coupled to the tank is provided. The fining assembly includes a substructure configured to couple with a tank skin of the tank, a thermal protection system coupled to the substructure, and a seal assembly coupled to the substructure, the seal assembly being configured to overlap at least a portion of an edge of the wing.

Abstract: There is provided a leading edge system for an aerospace vehicle. The leading edge system has at least one structural member. The leading edge system further has a plurality of removable modules removably attached to the at least one structural member. Each removable module has a hollow box substructure and at least one flange portion disposed along a first end of the hollow box substructure. The leading edge system further has a plurality of first attachment elements configured for attaching the at least one flange portion of the removable module to a first end portion of the at least one structural member. The leading edge system further has a plurality of second attachment elements configured for attaching a second end of the hollow box substructure opposite the flange portion, to a second end portion of the at least one structural member opposite the first end portion.

Abstract: A fairing assembly for an aerial vehicle having a tank that forms a body of the vehicle and a wing coupled to the tank is provided. The fairing assembly includes a substructure configured to couple with a tank skin of the tank, a thermal protection system coupled to the substructure, and a seal assembly coupled to the substructure, the seal assembly being configured to overlap at least a portion of an edge of the wing.

Abstract: There is provided a leading edge system for an aerospace vehicle. The leading edge system has at least one structural member. The leading edge system further has a plurality of removable modules removably attached to the at least one structural member. Each removable module has a hollow box substructure and at least one flange portion disposed along a first end of the hollow box substructure. The leading edge system further has a plurality of first attachment elements configured for attaching the at least one flange portion of the removable module to a first end portion of the at least one structural member. The leading edge system further has a plurality of second attachment elements configured for attaching a second end of the hollow box substructure opposite the flange portion, to a second end portion of the at least one structural member opposite the first end portion.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses described herein provide for the attachment of solar collectors to a structural framework in a solar array assembly. A flexible clip is attached to either end of each solar collector and utilized to attach the solar collector to the structural framework. The solar collectors are positioned to allow a member of the framework to engage a pair of flexible clips attached to adjacent solar collectors during assembly of the solar array. Each flexible clip may have multiple frame-engaging portions, each with a flange on one end to cause the flexible clip to deflect inward when engaged by the framework member during assembly and to guide each of the frame-engaging portions into contact with a surface of the framework member for attachment.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses described herein provide for the attachment of solar collectors to a structural framework in a solar array assembly. A flexible clip is attached to either end of each solar collector and utilized to attach the solar collector to the structural framework. The solar collectors are positioned to allow a member of the framework to engage a pair of flexible clips attached to adjacent solar collectors during assembly of the solar array. Each flexible clip may have multiple frame-engaging portions, each with a flange on one end to cause the flexible clip to deflect inward when engaged by the framework member during assembly and to guide each of the frame-engaging portions into contact with a surface of the framework member for attachment.