Advanced grid stiffened composite payload shroud for the OSP launch vehicle

The Air Force Research Laboratory's Space Vehicles Directorate has developed methods to design and fabricate advanced grid stiffened (AGS) structures. These processes will drastically reduce the cost of composite payload shrouds. These procedures were successfully demonstrated in an AGS fairing for the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization's Combined Experiments Program. AFRL/VS has now joined with Boeing to develop an extended fairing for the orbital suborbital program's launch vehicle. This larger fairing will allow for dual manifest missions on the OSP vehicle; resulting in an air force cost savings of nearly /spl Mfr/ per launch.