Low shock fairing separation and jettison system

ESA has helped RUAG Space Switzerland to develop new rocket fairings that offer a smoother quieter ride to space.

RUAG manufactures fairings for Europe’s Ariane and Vega launchers and tested a new low-shock jettison system in a Vega 2.6 m payload fairing. The hinge and actuation system aims to reduce the shock of separating the fairing from the launch vehicle when it reaches space.