Applied Aerospace Structures Corporation (AASC) has been awarded a contract by Orbital Sciences Corporation to manufacture the composite structures for the Taurus II Launch Vehicle.

The contract is currently in final negotiations with a potential of up to five shipsets per year. The 12’ 8” diameter x 32’ 4” long Payload Fairing is the largest of the structures, consisting of honeycomb core and composite facesheets. Along with the Payload Fairing, AASC will also manufacture the Fairing Adaptor (12’4” diameter x 6’), the Stage 2 Motor Adaptor (12’4” diameter x 44”), the Stage 2 Interstage (12’4” diameter x 20”), the Payload Adaptor (8’8” diameter x 8”), and the Avionics Cylinder (7’8” diameter x 27”). AASC will fabricate all components in their state-of-the-art, 245,000 square foot, Stockton, CA, facility. Deliveries will begin in late 2009. The Taurus II is a two-stage launch vehicle with the ability to reliably send up to approximately 12,000lbs to space. It is capable of launching single and multiple payloads. This launch vehicle will supply cost-effective access to a variety of orbits. The first mission launch will take place in 2010.