Shock Isolation System for Launch Vehicles

"High frequency dynamic and shock loads during the launch event can cause permanent damage to satellites, electronics, optics, and other sensitive equipment. The innovation proposed herein is a whole-spacecraft shock isolation system that attenuates theharsh shock environment for EELV-class launch vehicles and also solves the "high buzz" motor problem for BMDO target launch vehicles. For EELVs, two major shock events occur during launch: satellite separation and fairing separation. Systems currentlyunder development will produce shock-less satellite separations. The proposed system will be a multiple axis, passive shock isolation system that will then reduce fairing separation shock loads to a non-issue. The same technology is proposed to reducethe "high-buzz" launch vehicle motors (such as the M57, SR19, and SR73) used on BMDO target vehicles to "low-buzz" motors, thereby making the entire motor inventory available to BMDO at greatly reduced risk. These opportunities, while using the same shockisolation technology, require unique innovation to incorporate that technology into each particular vehicle. Each system must be easy to integrate and have little effect on the low frequency dynamics of the launch vehicle system. Meeting the designchallenges will result in solutions that greatly increase the reliability of several BMDO programs. Successful completion of this SBIR Phase I research will benefit BMDO and all government age