Capture assemblies and compliant extension assemblies may be utilized for insertion into a nozzle of a liquid engine of a spacecraft. The capture assembly may include an apparatus such as a probe for insertion into the nozzle and an assembly at least partially enclosed in a forward portion of the probe. The assembly may include a plurality of actuated fingers for deploying outwardly from the probe when the probe is inserted into the nozzle. The compliant extension assembly may be at least partially enclosed in a housing connected to the capture assembly for axial movement of the probe. The compliant extension assembly may facilitate axial movement of the probe between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the probe is extended forwardly, relative to the housing.

The system includes a forward clamping assembly, steady rests and compression assembly upon which the fuselage of a rocket is secured. The forward clamping assembly secures the forward fuselage of the rocket and the steady rests secure the middle fuselage of the rocket. The compression assembly includes a fluted nozzle rotator which engages the flutes of the nozzle of the rocket. Rotation of the nozzle rotator results in torque being applied to the joint connecting the rocket nozzle with the motor casing of the rocket so as to allow insertion or removal of an Ortman key that secures the motor casing and nozzle.

The system includes a forward clamping assembly, steady rests and compression assembly upon which the fuselage of a rocket is secured. The forward clamping assembly secures the forward fuselage of the rocket and the steady rests secure the middle fuselage of the rocket. The compression assembly includes a fluted nozzle rotator which engages the flutes of the nozzle of the rocket. Rotation of the nozzle rotator results in torque being applied to the joint connecting the rocket nozzle with the motor casing of the rocket so as to allow insertion or removal of an Ortman key that secures the motor casing and nozzle.

A mitigation control system is arranged in an environment containing an energetic material and includes an abnormal temperature sensor for detecting an abnormal temperature of the environment, a power source that is mechanically actuated by the abnormal temperature sensor when the abnormal temperature exceeds a predetermined abnormal temperature threshold, a mitigation controller that is actuated by the power source, and a plurality of local temperature sensors that are communicatively coupled to the mitigation controller and are arranged for detecting critical temperatures in specific regions of the environment. The mitigation controller executes a mitigation action when one of the critical temperatures exceeds a predetermined critical temperature threshold for the corresponding specific region.

An internally coupleable joint is disclosed. The joint can include a first component and a second component configured to mate with one another in an end-to-end relationship. An axially extending protrusion of the first component can interface with a corresponding recess of the second component. In addition, the first component and the second component can each have an internal coupling feature extending at least partially about an inner circumference of the respective component. The joint can also include a securing member having external coupling features configured to engage the internal coupling features of the first and second components to prevent separation of the first and second components.

An internally coupleable joint is disclosed. The joint can include a first component and a second component configured to mate with one another in an end-to-end relationship. An axially extending protrusion of the first component can interface with a corresponding recess of the second component. In addition, the first component and the second component can each have an internal coupling feature extending at least partially about an inner circumference of the respective component. The joint can also include a securing member having external coupling features configured to engage the internal coupling features of the first and second components to prevent separation of the first and second components.

A bolt catcher and extractor for use with a separation nut and an attaching preloaded bolt that secure a payload to a launch vehicle or spacecraft. The bolt catcher extracts the attaching bolt from the separation nut, pulls it clear of the interface between the launch vehicle or spacecraft and the released payload, and captures it within the bolt catcher housing. The released bolt may have kinetic energy due to the strain energy stored by the pre-release bolt preload. The bolt catcher may have a magnetic eddy current damper that controls the bolt velocity during bolt extraction and dissipates the bolt kinetic energy as heat. The bolt may be magnetically non-impact captured within the bolt catcher. Bolt momentum at the end of the bolt extraction is less than 2% of that of bolt catchers of the prior art. Shock to the released payload or deployable equipment is near zero.

An actuation device for ejecting a removable part of a missile includes a pyrotechnic actuator having a pyrotechnic charge configured to generate an overpressure and a piston configured to act on the removable part of the missile, at least one retaining rod, and at least one thermal insulation element configured to thermally insulate at least the pyrotechnic charge. The pyrotechnic actuator is configured to break the retaining rod.

An actuation device for ejecting a removable part of a missile includes a pyrotechnic actuator having a pyrotechnic charge configured to generate an overpressure and a piston configured to act on the removable part of the missile, at least one retaining rod, and at least one thermal insulation element configured to thermally insulate at least the pyrotechnic charge. The pyrotechnic actuator is configured to break the retaining rod.

A component assembly comprises a first housing and a second housing jointed by a coupling assembly. The coupling assembly comprises a coupling body and a floating torque ring axially slidably interfaced to the coupling body. The coupling body comprises a first threaded portion engaged with a first threaded coupling section of the first housing, and a second threaded portion engaged with a second threaded coupling section of the second housing. The floating torque ring is radially fixed to the coupling body, and is axially movable relative to the coupling body. Rotation of the floating torque ring causes relative rotation of the coupling body, thereby threadably joining the first housing and the second housing about the coupling body independent of axial positions of the housings due to the axially movable floating torque ring. A method of joining the housings is provided.