GROUND & LAUNCH SYSTEMS
Image Credit: NASA
ZIN is experienced with providing launch services for payloads on commercial expendable launch vehicles. Our engineers and subject matter experts provide launch vehicle engineering and analysis services. ZIN provides launch vehicle systems engineering that includes electrical and avionics engineering, programmatic safety, reliability engineering services. We have expertise in the development of vehicle structure through design, loads and dynamics analysis of the next generation Space Launch System (SLS) Heavy Lift Launch Vehicles (HLV). We have experience with payload shrouds and composite designs and have unique acoustic abatement expertise in broadband low (<150 Hz) to high frequency attenuation.
Launch Vehicle Services
ZIN supports NASA’s Launch Services Program (LSP) providing end-to-end launch services for NASA and NASA-sponsored payloads on commercial expendable launch vehicles. ZIN provides launch vehicle systems engineering that includes electrical and avionics engineering, programmatic safety, and reliability engineering services. We have provided an array of services to support vehicles such as Atlas II/V, Delta II/ IV, Pegasus XL, Taurus XL/2, Falcon 1/9, Minotaur I/IV and the new space launch system. ZIN is responsible for maintaining safe and healthful operating locations and is proactive in the protection of personnel and property.
Image Credit: NASA
Universal Stage Adapter
ZIN provides acoustic analysis, and has developed a new acoustic treatment for mitigating payload fairing low frequency acoustic loads, <150 Hz (enhanced Chamber Attenuator for Low Frequencies, eCALF). Our eCALF testing for both absorption and transmission loss has shown large attenuation levels >16 dB within a low mass solution. eCALF resonators were originally developed for aerospace applications, such as launch vehicles, but can also be tuned for aeronautical applications, such as broad band low to high-frequency noise attenuation requirements.
Image Credit: NASA
Space Launch System
ZIN has over a decade of experience developing heavy-lift launch vehicle technologies, which has led to the development of the Space Launch System (SLS). ZIN provides structural analysis and optimization of new composite and existing payload fairings, as well as inter-stage and core inter-tank designs, using HyperSizer/NX Nastran. ZIN has performed separation analyses of payload fairings using FEMAP/NX Nastran and through development of the SepTOOL software, which uses closed-form multi-body rigid body and non-rigid body dynamics to evaluate separation clearances of payload fairings for different vehicle flight and geometry parameters. ZIN also provides Systems Engineering support, working together with NASA GRC, MSFC, and LaRC to analyze system requirements, ground operations, and interfaces.
Image Credit: NASA
Ground Systems
ZIN is experienced with providing facility upgrade/modification/repair design and construction in multiple NASA facilities. ZIN teamed with SAIC on the NASA GRC contract to design, build and commission a Vibro-Acoustic Test Capability (VTC) at the NASA GRC Plum Brook Space Power Facility. This major GRC facility upgrade is currently being used to conduct environmental tests on large-scale space hardware (Orion and Service Module) to demonstrate safe performance in conditions simulating launch, on-orbit and re-entry. The Space Power Facility (SPF) houses the world’s largest and most powerful space environment simulation facilities.
Image Credit: NASA