The twelve-sided, 103" diameter x 50" tall structure is based on Orbital's STAR 2 platform design, and will be comprised of a forward and aft aluminum ring and graphite facesheets with aluminum honeycomb core for the forward/aft decks, bulkhead, and gussets. The remaining parts of the structure will be metal-bonded aluminum facesheet panels. Once fabrication is complete, the structure will undergo 25 planned load cases on-site in AASC's static load test cage.
The composite structure will assist Orbital in delivering cargo payloads to the International Space Station (ISS) under the NASA Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) demonstration agreement and Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract. The structure will house the motors and maneuvering control system for the spacecraft. During launch, the structure will attach to the launch vehicle interface, the Taurus II launch vehicle payload adaptor, a part for which AASC is currently under contract through another division of Orbital. Cargo will be ferried to the ISS inside a pressurized canister that attaches to the structure made by AASC.
For more information please visit: http://www.orbital.com/NewsInfo/Publications/Cygnus_fact.pdf
Applied Aerospace Structures Corporation (AASC) is a full service provider of complex composite and metal bonded structures and assemblies for both military and commercial applications. Based in Stockton, California, AASC is classified as a small business with approximately 240 employees. AASC designs and fabricates critical, lightweight, high-performance, engineered structural assemblies for the aerospace industry. The company is ISO 9001:2000 and AS9100B, third party certified and has been in business since 1956. For more information, visit the company's web site at www.aascworld.com.
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