Rocketry Planet

KENSINGTON, New South Wales AUS — CST Composites, an innovator in the production of filament wound composite profiles, has completed production of its first airframe set for the ASLI (Academic Space Launch Initiative) 2010 project.

University of New South Wales undergraduate student Jendi Kepple and the carbon fiber aiframe winding.

The 156mm diameter tubing, designed specifically for the Pathfinder 1B rocket built by University of New South Wales (UNSW) undergraduate student Jendi Kepple, underwent a rigorous design phase including the use of software finite analysis to optimize the laminate structure.

This process combined with CST's unique ability to precisely control fiber orientation during manufacture, have resulted in an airframe significantly lighter and stronger than current commercially available products.

"CST Composites is a major contributor to our program," said Jamie Griffiths ASLI Program Manager. "By utilizing their know how in advanced composites, we have being able to exceed the original design goals for the Pathfinder 1B rocket, realizing a much lighter and stronger airframe with increased reusability over our first generation rocket."

The airframe set consist of a carbon/epoxy filament wound lower airframe & a glass/epoxy filament wound payload compartment fairing, which will be used to construct the first rocket for launch by January 2011.

More information on ASLI on visit http://www.asli2010.blogspot.com/.

More Information on CST Composites visit http://www.cstcomposites.com/.