Payload Adapter Made from Fiber-Metal-Laminate Struts

In comparison to other transport systems, launch vehicles are characterized by relatively light but extremely valuable payloads. The launcher’s upper stage structures, e.g. payload adapter and fairing, offer the highest weight saving potential. An effective weight reduction can only be achieved by the combined utilization of high performance materials and adapted construction methods. To improve the structures damage tolerance a new hybrid lay-up has been developed, which combines the properties of both, steel and carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP). This chapter presents a preliminary design of a payload adapter as a framework, which is based on the high performance material properties of unidirectional CFRP-steel-laminates, offering a considerable weight saving potential.