Patent ID: 7931237

Claim:
A launch vehicle interface, comprising: a bulkhead panel for being secured to a launch vehicle, the bulkhead panel comprising a honeycomb panel structure comprising a grid of interconnected hexagonal cells; a keyway pattern in the bulkhead panel for receiving matching key pattern attached to one or more payload platforms where each of the grid of interconnected hexagonal cells is formed from six segments to close an open keyway of the keyway pattern through the bulkhead panel and each of the six segments is shared with adjacent cells; and an insert pattern of structural inserts in the bulkhead panel for securing the one or more payload platforms; wherein the keyway pattern engages the matching keyway pattern and carries shear loads between the bulkhead panel and the one or more payload platforms and securing the one or more payload platforms by the insert pattern structurally ties the one or more payload platforms to a rocket body of the launch vehicle and each of the structural inserts is disposed in each segment of the grid of interconnected hexagonal cells.