ACT (Advanced Composite Technology)

Project Overall Objective

Genesis Design Engineers are working on the NASA Exploration Technology Development Program’s (ETDP) Advanced Composite Technology (ACT) program.   The intent of this program is to develop composite technologies for their use on the ARES V program.  Three structures of the ARES V have been selected as candidates for all-composite design —  The Interstage, Intertank, and Payload Shroud.  Genesis Engineers are focusing on the technologies needed to join these large structures together and to their mating structures.  No composite structure has been built at these scales before so the technology readiness level of these efforts is still very low.  Designs will include highly loaded frangible (purposefully breakable) composite joints as well as lightly loaded stiffness matching joints.  Manufacturing plans will be developed based on their recommendations to the ARES V Program.