Lightweight Composite Launch Fairings with Integrated Damping

The objective of the rated Damping, s that merge damping materials with a patent pending wavy composite system, and create lightweight aerospace structures that meet or exceed specified strength, stiffness, damping, and acoustic requirements. Traditional passive noise and vibration control methods for these structures are heavy, bulky and perform only marginally. Based on a design of experiments, panels of highly damped wavy composites will be constructed, staticallu, modally, and acoustically tested and analyzed. Optimized t and will exceed requirements for weight, stiffness, strength, and damping. Unprecedented improvements in these panel parameters are expected from Phase I funding. This will lead to the design and manufacture of new highly damped space launch vehicle components that exhibit stiffness and strength many times greater than steel at half the weight of aluminum but over 30 times its damping. This research program combines the expertise of aerospace, materials and engineering firms and a university to deliver new methodologies and material systems for the manufacture of improved aerospace vehicles and components.