An advanced development program to demonstrate carbon-carbon composite structure for use as primary load carrying structure has entered the experimental validation phase. The component being evaluated is a wing torque box section for a single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) vehicle. The validation or demonstration component features an advanced carbon-carbon design incorporating 3D woven graphite preforms, integral spars, oxidation inhibited matrix, chemical vapor deposited (CVD) oxidation protection coating, and ceramic matrix composite fasteners. The validation component represents the culmination of a four phase design and fabrication development effort. Extensive developmental testing was performed to verify material properties and integrity of basic design features before committing to fabrication of the full scale box. The wing box component is now being set up for testing in the Air Force Research Laboratory Structural Test Facility at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. One of the important developmental tests performed in support of the design and planned testing of the full scale box was the fabrication and test of a skin/spar trial subcomponent. The trial subcomponent incorporated critical features of the full scale wing box design. This paper discusses the results of the trial subcomponent test which served as a pathfinder for the upcoming full scale box test.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Thermo-mechanical evaluation of carbon-carbon primary structure for SSTO vehicles



    Conference:

    Space technology and applications international forum - 1998 ; 1998 ; Albuquerque,New Mexico (USA)


    Published in:

    AIP Conference Proceedings ; 420 , 1 ; 1020-1026


    Publication date :

    1998-01-15


    Size :

    7 pages





    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



    Thermo-Mechanical Evaluation of Carbon-Carbon Primary Structure for SSTO Vehicles

    Croop, H. C. / Lowndes, H. B. / Hahn, S. E. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1998


    Carbon-Carbon Primary Structures for SSTO Vehicles

    Croop, H. C. / Lowndes, H. B. / University of New Mexico; School of Engineering; Institute for Space and Nuclear Power Studies | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1997


    Thermo-mechanical cyclic testing of carbon-carbon primary structure for an SSTO vehicle

    Croop, Harold C. / Leger, Kenneth B. / Lowndes, Holland B. et al. | American Institute of Physics | 1999


    Operationally effective nozzles for SSTO vehicles

    FANCIULLO, T. / JUDD, D. / O'BRIEN, C. | AIAA | 1992


    TALKING SSTO

    Robertson, Donald F. | Online Contents | 1995