Presentation Title: Composite
Structures and the NASA Constellation Program
Abstract: The NASA Constellation program will be developing new space explorations systems to perform multiple missions, including returning human explorers to the moon and, eventually, to Mars. For the first time in human-rated space launch vehicles, there will be widely used composite structures for primary, load bearing structures. Also, the lunar architecture being defined will take advantage of the properties of composite structures in the lunar lander, lunar rovers, and habitats. This presentation will provide an overview of the NASA Constellation program and the applications for composite structures in the new exploration vehicles currently being developed.
Bio: Bill Hooper has worked in the Aerospace and Defense business for nearly 28 years with ATK (previously Hercules Aerospace). He had held several positions: Titan Solid Rocket Motor Upgrade, Orion 38 solid rocket motor upgrade development program, Chief Engineer for NASA Projects, and more recently involved with the Ares Launch Vehicles, illustrated by ATK’s present design and development efforts for the Ares I first stage frustum interstage. He is currently working on multiple new pursuit areas for the Ares V launch vehicle and other new space launch systems. He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Utah and an MBA from Westminster College.