BUS Structures

We can build parts of a back-up structure or the entire BUS. We specialize in both aluminum and composite skinned panels with precision inserts and fittings, strut assemblies and embedded heat pipe and externally bonded heat pipe panels.

RWC has experience with the design and fabrication of individual components of a BUS structure, such as aluminum and composite skinned structural panels, strut assemblies, and radiator panels with inserts, fittings, and embedded heat pipes and heaters. We also have experience with the full-up assembly of BUS structures.

Structural Panels and Assemblies

Rock West has designed and fabricated a wide variety of structural panels for BUS structures including both composite skinned and aluminum skinned components. We are also familiar with a variety of panel-to-panel attachment methods such as embedded fittings and secondarily bonded edge clips.

Strut Assemblies

We are well-known for our tube and strut fabrication capabilities and also have significant experience with the design and fabrication of bonded and fastened strut assemblies. We have developed low-cost assembly fixture tooling methods to pair with our low-cost tube capabilities to offer some of the best pricing around.

Learn more about our work on these strut assemblies in our press release: RWC’s Components Are on Intuitive Machines’ IM-1 Mission to the Moon.

Thermal Management Panels

Rock West has extended our capabilities to include the fabrication of thermal management panels with features such as embedded and externally bonded ammonia charged heat pipes, heaters, secondary surface mirror (SSM) material, and optical solar reflectors (OSRs). We can also service production level programs for this type of hardware.