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Key Development Programs · Upper Stage Flight Experiment (USFE) · Rocketplane-XP Propellant Tanks · Cryo-Composite Tank Technologies · Highly-Integrated Modular Structure (HIMS) |
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Upper Stage Flight Experiment Aspect Engineering (now part of Gloyer-Taylor Laboratories LLC) played a significant roll in the AFRL Upper Stage Flight Experiment (USFE) program. Early in the program, Zachary Taylor designed and fabricated the first composite propellant tank for Class 1 storage of high-test hydrogen peroxide. The design included an innovative metal-to-plastic seal and assembly process to provide a leak-free and propellant-compatible interface between a plastic liner and metallic port. Under contract from Orbital Sciences Corporation, Aspect Engineering designed and fabricated the subscale Integral Structure for USFE a composite, common bulkhead propellant tank integrated with composite vehicle structure. In test, the subscale Integral Structure exceeded expectations. Mr. Taylor designed and provided analysis for the full-scale Integral Structure. In addition he developed and wrote the manufacturing procedures, designed much of the tooling, and provided on-site supervision of the fabrication processes. The first article passed all acceptance tests. Cryo-Composite Tank Technology Prototype Gloyer-Taylor Laboratories is currently fabricating a prototype of our cryogenic composite tank for Thurber Space Systems. This advanced propellant tank takes a major leap beyond the aluminum-lined LOX tank developed for the PA-X suborbital rocket and surpasses the capabilities of the best liner-less LOX tank technologies. The technologies used in the Gloyer-Taylor cryogenic composite tank allow the performance of the tank to approach the theoretical limits for composite pressure vessels, while providing unlimited cycle life. |
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Subscale Integral Structure for USFE |
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Full scale USFE Skirt |
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USFE Integral Structure |
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Gloyer-Taylor Laboratories LLC |
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