Abstract: An apparatus includes a vehicle structure, a bumper, an elongate structural member, and an extension portion. The elongate structural member is able to crush longitudinally in response to application of force in a longitudinal direction. The extension portion is able to crush longitudinally in response to application of force in the longitudinal direction, is connected to the elongate structural member such that the elongate structural member and the extension portion support the bumper with respect to the vehicle structure, and is operable to move the bumper between an extended position and a retracted position with respect to the vehicle structure to change a distance between the bumper and the vehicle structure.

Abstract: A floor assembly for a passenger vehicle includes a lower floor assembly and an upper floor subassembly coupled to and positioned above the lower floor assembly. The lower floor assembly includes one or more compartments for containing one or more batteries. The upper floor subassembly is a sandwich structure composite.

Abstract: A low-to-medium mass density ablative thermal protection system (TPS) comprises a phenolic-based core member comprising a honeycombed plurality of cells separated by cell walls; and an ablator material comprising a carbonaceous material and a phenolic resin material filling the cells. The ablator material may further comprise silica and phenolic resin microspheres. Embodiments include fabricating the ablative TPS by filling the cells of the core member with a liquid slurry or dry mixture of the ablator material, followed by degassing, drying, and curing of the ablator material.