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Spinoff story
Rocket Technology Stops Shaking in Its Tracks
A real-world story of NASA technology finding a life beyond the mission.
About this technology
Overview
In testing, the Ares I launch vehicle displayed a serious vibration problem_shaking that resonated dangerously, causing potentially hazardous conditions in the crew capsule right above the booster. Engineers at Marshall Space Flight Center found a solution, creating a brand new, low-cost, lightweight damper that could become the industry standard for buildings, bridges, and many other structures that vibrate or shake. New York City-based Thornton Tomasetti markets the technology to make buildings safer against the wind and from earthquakes.