Laser measurement aids rocket launch

Sept. 18, 2003
Boeing's Delta IV rocket got a smooth launch into space, thanks in part to a laser measurement system from Faro Technologies, Lake Mary, Fla. The Laser Tracker helped with critical measuring tasks in building and testing the launch pad's Fixed Pad Erector (FPE) system at Cape Canaveral, Fla.

The 164-ft-long FPE raises the rocket vertically, aligns it, and transfers it onto the launch table. Operation is somewhat like a drawbridge, with more than two dozen precision interfaces requiring tolerances of less than 800 mm. The Laser Tracker is accurate to within 10 mm, ± 0.8 mm/m, and works at a range to 230 ft.

During construction of the FPE, the Laser Tracker was set up on the launch pad to measure and locate the interfaces. It projected a beam that locked onto a handheld retroreflective target, which the operator moved over the surface being measured. The beam reflected off the target and retraced its path back to the Tracker to measure distance. Angular encoders measure the orientation of the Tracker's two mechanical axes. Together, the distance and angular measurements provided the exact three-dimensional location of the target. Measurement data, as well as 3D graphics created from the data, are displayed on a PC or laptop connected to the Tracker.

 

The Laser Tracker helped pinpoint the exact three-dimensional location of the fixed pad erector components at the Cape Canaveral launch pad.

A Boeing Delta IV rocket blasts off from Cape Canaveral, Fla.

Sponsored Recommendations

June 6, 2025
In the rapidly evolving landscape of industrial manufacturing, reliability, productivity, and worker safety take precedence. However, traditional connectivity approaches often...
June 6, 2025
Amidst the rapid evolution of electronics manufacturing, reliability, productivity, and worker safety remain paramount concerns. Yet, traditional connectivity methods often falter...
June 6, 2025
While many within the industrial manufacturing sector grasp the importance of smart manufacturing for optimizing processes, boosting productivity, and future-proofing operations...
June 6, 2025
For electronics manufacturers grappling with formidable challenges, navigating the path to success requires adapting to the dynamic landscape of the industry. How can electronics...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Machine Design, create an account today!