Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a launch vehicle fairing recovery system and method using inflatable bags and fairing repositioning mechanisms. Embodiments of the present invention also relate to providing a system or mechanism to flip the fairing into the proper floating position. In some embodiments, the fairing has an inner surface and an outer surface, where the outer surface is exposed to the atmosphere when the fairing is interconnected to a spacecraft, and one or more inflatable bags interconnected to the outer surface of the fairing, where when the fairing is interconnected to the spacecraft the one or more inflatable bags is empty, and after the fairing separates from the spacecraft the one or more airbags are filled with pressurized gas and/or hydraulic liquids.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein may be applied to monitoring and evaluating rocket engine and other reusable components' health by tracking full-field stochastic patterns using Digital Image Correlation (DIC) to detect deformation. In particular, rocket engine cylindricity enables pre-flight and post-flight non-destructive inspection utilizing a turntable to detect local fatigue. In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a rocket engine may undergo a DIC process, where the rocket engine is rotated via a turntable. Accordingly, the use of a turntable allows a single camera DIC setup to acquire data indicative surface measurements about the entire rocket engine. The rocket engine may then be flown and subsequently recovered. After recovery, the rocket engine again may undergo DIC processing, where the rocket engine is rotated via the turntable. The pre- and post-flight data may be compared to provide evidence of the existence of a deformation or lack thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a launch vehicle fairing recovery system and method using inflatable bags and fairing repositioning mechanisms. Embodiments of the present invention also relate to providing a system or mechanism to flip the fairing into the proper floating position. In some embodiments, the fairing has an inner surface and an outer surface, where the outer surface is exposed to the atmosphere when the fairing is interconnected to a spacecraft, and one or more inflatable bags interconnected to the outer surface of the fairing, where when the fairing is interconnected to the spacecraft the one or more inflatable bags is empty, and after the fairing separates from the spacecraft the one or more airbags are filled with pressurized gas and/or hydraulic liquids.

Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle to provide load distribution between the body of the vehicle and a battery contained in the vehicle includes a pair of body rockers, the body rockers being spaced apart and being substantially parallel to each other, a plurality of body cross bars that extend between the pair of body rockers, the plurality of body cross bars being spaced apart, substantially parallel to each other, and substantially perpendicular to the body rockers, and a plurality of battery cross bars that extend between the pair of body rockers, the plurality of battery cross bars being spaced apart, substantially parallel to each other, and substantially perpendicular to the body rockers, portions of the battery being located between adjacent battery cross bars. The plurality of battery cross bars, the plurality of body cross bars and the body rockers are configured to delay initiation of rocker plastic deformation.

Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle to provide load distribution between the body of the vehicle and a battery contained in the vehicle includes a pair of body rockers, the body rockers being spaced apart and being substantially parallel to each other, a plurality of body cross bars that extend between the pair of body rockers, the plurality of body cross bars being spaced apart, substantially parallel to each other, and substantially perpendicular to the body rockers, and a plurality of battery cross bars that extend between the pair of body rockers, the plurality of battery cross bars being spaced apart, substantially parallel to each other, and substantially perpendicular to the body rockers, portions of the battery being located between adjacent battery cross bars. The plurality of battery cross bars, the plurality of body cross bars and the body rockers are configured to delay initiation of rocker plastic deformation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide systems and methods for testing of separating systems between a space vehicle and a launch vehicle, at a component level and/or at a system level, using High Speed Digital Image Correlation (HSDIC). Proposed embodiments integrate HSDIC into the separation testing processes to better determine system function without contacting the object under test. By applying HSDIC to objects under test, the previously immeasurable quantities may be measured and may provide results leading to more complete and more understandable measurements of interest. As one example, local coordinate systems may be generated indicating symmetry and/or lack of symmetry. Furthermore, stay out volumes may be verified. In some embodiments, trajectories associated with measure targets, (e.g., features of the object under test and/or patterns such as a speckle pattern) may be utilized to track and analysis movements as well as verify stay out volumes.