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Rocket Lab offers a range of thermal protection, rocket fuel, software, rocket assisted parachute extraction and separation system products.

Thermal Protection

The high supersonic velocities achieved by the Ātea launch vehicles created significant technical challenges with regards to aerodynamic heating of the composite vehicle fuselage. Through intensive development programs for the Ātea projects, Rocket Lab has developed significant expertise, capability and new materials for high temperature aerospace applications.

Rocket Lab also has a strong composites background and has expertise in ablative composite components including nose cones, rocket nozzles and nose tips.
Products include:

During these development programs Rocket Lab built up significant capabilities in designing and testing for high temperature environments. Some of these include:

  • In-house developed simulation programs for modelling trajectory dependent aerodynamic heating of flight surfaces
  • Development of oxy-acetylene ablation test rig in accordance with ASTM standards
  • Development of high mach number, high temperature ablation test rig utilising hybrid rocket engines

Rocket Lab has designed unique products during the development phase of the Ātea project that may be used in a range of capacities. Rocket Lab also offers specialised services that can be applied in diverse applications.

Rocket Fuels

Through extensive R&D programs conducted for the Ātea program, Rocket Lab has developed two new hybrid rocket fuels and a solid fuel binder that offer significant advantages over the state-of-the-art.

Follow the links below:

Software

Rocket Lab has developed significant in-house capability in modelling and simulation techniques for its Ātea sounding rocket program. Some of these codes are now in the process of being made available commercially:

  • 3-DOF and 6-DOF trajectory models, with Monte Carlo capability
  • Real-time aerodynamic heating simulation
  • Vehicle dynamics analysis
  • Hybrid rocket engine development software
  • Fuel grain design programs
  • Propellant chemical equilibrium analysis
  • Typical injector and nozzle design codes

Rocket Assisted Parachute Extraction

Rocket Lab has developed and successfully ground-tested a rapid parachute extraction system. The emergency system is aimed at rapidly eRocket Assisted Parachute Extractionxtracting and inflating a parachute in situations of zero airspeed and extremely low altitude.

The concept consists of a small rocket “tow” motor connected to the parachute. When the rocket is fired, it pulls the chute out of its canister and deployment bag.

The second stage of the concept gives this product a significant advantage over currently available systems is the in-built inflation aid that Rocket Lab has successfully ground tested. This rapidly inflates the base of the parachute, allowing it to capture air and inflate at much lower air-speeds. This equates to a system capable of successful recovery at zero airspeed, minimal altitude situations.

Separation Systems

Rocket Lab has successfully tested a low-cost, low-shock stage separation system (LCLS). The LCLS separates within 90 milliseconds and provides a stable platform post-separation. It is unique in that it does not use pyrotechnic charges, offering significant advantages for payload and hazardous goods concerns. Rocket Lab has also successfully tested prototype separation systems that offer clean, rapid separation of rigidly connected stage components through pyrotechnic separation.

Rocket Lab can provide anything from an off-the-shelf solution adapted from our existing designs to a comprehensive custom design. Please contact us for further information.

Related Links

Support Rocket Lab to help launch New Zealand space research and development. Read about our programs or contact us if you would like additional information about Rocket Lab.