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Composites for Exploration Upper StageThe Composites for Exploration Upper Stage (CEUS) was a 3-year, level III project within the Technology Demonstration Missions program of the NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate. Studies have shown that composites provide important programmatic enhancements, including reduced weight to increase capability and accelerated expansion of exploration and science mission objectives. The CEUS project was focused on technologies that best advanced innovation, infusion, and broad applications for the inclusion of composites on future large human-rated launch vehicles and spacecraft. The benefits included near- and far-term opportunities for infusion (NASA, industry/commercial, Department of Defense), demonstrated critical technologies and technically implementable evolvable innovations, and sustained Agency experience. The initial scope of the project was to advance technologies for large composite structures applicable to the Space Launch System (SLS) Exploration Upper Stage (EUS) by focusing on the affordability and technical performance of the EUS forward and aft skirts. The project was tasked to develop and demonstrate critical composite technologies with a focus on full-scale materials, design, manufacturing, and test using NASA in-house capabilities. This would have demonstrated a major advancement in confidence and matured the large-scale composite technology to a Technology Readiness Level 6. This project would, therefore, have bridged the gap for providing composite application to SLS upgrades, enabling future exploration missions.
Document ID
20160014739
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Fikes, J. C. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Jackson, J. R. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Richardson, S. W. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Thomas, A. D. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Mann, T. O. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Miller, S. G. (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
December 19, 2016
Publication Date
December 1, 2016
Subject Category
Engineering (General)
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Report/Patent Number
NASA/TM-2016-219433
M-1422
MSFC-E-DAA-TN33615
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
composites
joints
manufacturing

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