Hexcel Composites Selected for Artemis 9 Booster Production

Hexcel Composites Selected for Artemis 9 Booster Production Hexcel Corporation announced that advanced composite materials have been selected by Northrop Grumman for the production of Booster Aging and Life Extension (BOLE) boosters for Artemis 9. Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems is working to address space launch system aging issues in booster design and manufacturing. Upgraded boosters utilizing lightweight Hexcel carbon fiber and prepreg will also provide increased performance benefits for future lunar missions, science missions, and the eventual Mars campaign. Beginning with the Artemis 9 mission, the new BOLE boosters will replace steel cases previously used for space shuttle systems with a composite case that provides weight savings and upgraded structures to address aging, electronic thrust vector control systems, and propellant materials.