Advanced Launch Systems (ALS) - ILC Dover

Advanced Launch System Airbags

ILC designed and manufactured the Airbag system that was tested for use on Boeing's Advanced Launch System (ALS), the precursor to the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV). The goal of the airbag program was to successfully land the 1st Stage propulsion avionics module on ground (not water) to facilitate rapid refurbishment and re-launch to reduce launch costs.

Numerous concepts were developed and traded including materials, friction control techniques, fill media, geometries, interface methods, and system packaging & deployment. Structural and dynamic analysis was conducted and correlated well with test results. Prototype airbags were produced and tested against various challenges including drop testing as a system. System testing was successful and all requirements were met.

System Details

Subscale Airbags Test Configuration	CAD Design
Subscale Drop Tests Verify Design