Launch vehicles historically have provided a very rough ride to spacecraft during launch. This is particularly true of solid-fueled launch vehicles. In order for the spacecraft to survive such a trip to orbit, one of two choices must be made: (1) design all structure, payloads, and systems on the spacecraft to be strong enough to survive the high launch loads, or (2) reduce the magnitude of the high launch loads. The former is not a good choice because it typically requires additional cost, schedule, and weight. The latter is the preferred choice because it allows the focus of the spacecraft design to be primarily for on-orbit performance rather that for launch survival.

CSA Engineering has pioneered the design, development, fabrication, and flight of whole-spacecraft vibration isolation systems. These "SoftRide" systems are inserted between the launch vehicle and the spacecraft and serve to attenuate structure-borne launch loads imparted to the spacecraft.