Pressurant Quick Disconnect

The Pressurant Quick Disconnect (PRQD) is how Vespula is pressurized with gaseous nitrogen prior to launch. Once full pressure is reached, PRQD will be remotely actuated, disconnecting the vehicle from the ground support equipment. PRQD works by retracting a piston into a sleeve which engages the collar of the actual QD and causes it to disconnect. PRQD has been tested in flight-like conditions and actuated consistently in every test. The actuator design is based off the design used on GoldiLOX with the main improvement being a more reliable off-the-shelf hydraulic quick disconnect.