Rock West Composites is expanding its short lead time, space-ready STRATO™ product line
Rock West Composites announces the expansion of its space-grade STRATO product line, which now has two classes created for LEO, GEO and Deep Space applications. These selections of tubes, plates, sandwich panels, and solar array substrates are some of the Space market’s fastest turnaround products with most lead times ranging from two to four weeks.
Rock West Composites (RWC) announces the expansion of its STRATO space-grade product line this month. Originally focused on tubes for Lower Earth Orbit (LEO) applications, a secondary line will now include products appropriate for Geosynchronous Equatorial Orbit (GEO) and Deep Space use. STRATO products now include plates, sandwich panels, and solar array substrates for both orbital types.
The STRATO line is designed to provide businesses and government agencies high-quality components commonly needed for spacecraft, but RWC offers dramatically shorter lead times—approximately two to four weeks—than competing providers, and the order can be placed easily online.
The entire STRATO line meets key requirements for space, with properties that include low outgassing, low to zero CTE, high modulus materials, and a wide operational temperature range. RWC can offer significantly reduced lead times because it stocks raw materials such as M55J/PMT-F33 Cyanate Ester and HR40/NB321 Epoxy for its ecommerce business.
The STRATOLeo class is a more cost competitive option for meeting space requirements without the additional high-performance capability typically associated with GEO orbits and Deep Space flights. The STRATOGeo class uses top-of-the-line materials in all cases where performance can’t be compromised. Please see our RWC STRATO Product Class Table for technical details.
Each order includes a certificate package with dimensional inspection, material certificates, traceability, and a certificate of conformance from RWC. All products are serialized and traceable. Additional options for some products include full traveler verification, resin content testing, and short beam shear testing.
“Our goal is to make space quality hardware readily available in a cost effective and efficient manner,” said Jeremy Senne, head of RWC’s Space market segment. “Whether it’s a start-up business building cube sats or large prime contractors looking to optimize operations, agile organizations in a rapidly growing industry need high quality solutions quickly. Our hope is to help minimize design and build timelines by standardizing available products.”
