Chinese commercial space firm Light Year Explorer has manufactured a rocket fairing with a wooden outer skin as part of the company’s push for lower-cost, mass-produced launch vehicles. The design of the protective shell uses low-density plywood formed into a smooth aerodynamic curve, supported by an internal metal framework to bear loads, according to the Jiangsu-based company. “This configuration matches traditional composite fairings in key performance areas such as weight, structural...
Chinese space firm builds wooden rocket nose cone for cheaper, frequent launches
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SCMP - Feed 91By Holly Chik
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Chinese commercial space firm Light Year Explorer has manufactured a rocket fairing with a wooden outer skin as part of the company’s push for lower-cost, mass-produced launch vehicles. The design of the protective shell uses low-density plywood formed into a smooth aerodynamic curve, supported by an internal metal framework to bear loads, according to the Jiangsu-based company. “This configuration matches traditional composite fairings in key performance areas such as weight, structural...
Key Takeaways
- Chinese space firm builds wooden rocket nose cone for cheaper, frequent launches.
- Chinese commercial space firm Light Year Explorer has manufactured a rocket fairing with a wooden outer skin as part of the company’s push for lower-cost, mass-produced launch vehicles.
- The design of the protective shell uses low-density plywood formed into a smooth aerodynamic curve, supported by an internal metal framework to bear loads, according to the Jiangsu-based company.
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Published originally on SCMP - Feed 91
