D-1A nose fairing separation fitting load test

Abstract

Structural testing of the D-1A Centaur nose fairing was completed to determine the loads imposed during flight on the latch bolts of the fairing separation system. This testing was conducted to supplement and/or verify the analytic techniques used in calculating bolt loads for the D-1A, and to gain insight into the general structural behavior of separation latch systems. It was shown that the assumed bolt load magnification due to prying action of the latch fittings on the bolt does occur, but is strongly dependent on fairing shell stiffness.