Abstract: A nozzle assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a nozzle including a throat section. The nozzle further includes a ball portion of a ball and socket joint. The assembly further includes a vehicle including a socket portion of the ball and socket joint. The nozzle is mounted to the vehicle and the ball portion is received at least partially in the socket portion. A flow regulator is arranged adjacent the throat section and configured to regulate a flow of fluid through the throat section. The flow regulator is attached to the nozzle upstream of the throat section. An actuator is attached to the nozzle, and the actuator is configured to selectively rotate the nozzle via the ball and socket joint about a first axis normal to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. A rocket and method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A thermal stand-off includes a rigid thermal stand-off section within a spatial region that extends along a distance between a first location and second, opposed location. The rigid thermal stand-off section includes a tortuous solid-wall thermal conduction path that extends from the first location to the second location. The tortuous solid-wall thermal conduction path is longer than the distance of the spatial region. The tortuous solid-wall thermal conduction path can include a tensile spring constant that is greater than a maximum tensile spring constant of a coil spring that fits in the same spatial region and is formed of the same material composition. The tortuous solid-wall thermal conduction path can include an antegrade section and, relative the antegrade section, a retrograde section.

Abstract: A thermal stand-off includes a rigid thermal stand-off section within a spatial region that extends along a distance between a first location and second, opposed location. The rigid thermal stand-off section includes a tortuous solid-wall thermal conduction path that extends from the first location to the second location. The tortuous solid-wall thermal conduction path is longer than the distance of the spatial region. The tortuous solid-wall thermal conduction path can include a tensile spring constant that is greater than a maximum tensile spring constant of a coil spring that fits in the same spatial region and is formed of the same material composition. The tortuous solid-wall thermal conduction path can include an antegrade section and, relative the antegrade section, a retrograde section.