Stage Separation Shrapnel Absorber

A solid rocket booster was adapted to launch scientific instruments into low earth orbit. However, it was found that the shape charges in the rocket that were used to release the payload generated dangerous amounts of shrapnel. A Duocel® aluminum foam ring was designed by ERG and several were fabricated to contain the shrapnel and minimize launch weight in this rocket booster series. The assembled ring was gold alodined as the final fabrication step to provide additional corrosion resistance when the vehicles are launched from tropical sites.