nose cone

That will help workers install the tips of the rockets, known as the forward assembly, which includes the nose cone and forward skirt.

Once the solid rocket motors are installed, the final piece to complete the solid rocket boosters are the tips — the so-called forward assembly, including the nose cones and forward skirts.

Both groups use instruments hitched to the nose cone to ensure that only the freshest, most undisturbed air is sampled.

Later, the tip of the solid rocket boosters — the forward assembly, including the nose cone and forward skirt — will be installed atop the solid rocket motors.

Once the solid rocket motors are installed, the tip of the rockets — the 27-foot “forward assembly,” which includes the nose cone and the forward skirt — will be installed next.