[AR] Re: shuttle SRBs (was Re: Re: Phenolic regression rate)
- From: Henry Spencer <hspencer@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: Arocket List <arocket@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 4 Feb 2018 15:15:35 -0500 (EST)
On Sun, 4 Feb 2018, William Claybaugh wrote:
The limiting factor that led to segmented boosters was the maximum batch
size for solid propellant production which was around 100 tonnes through
the mid-1990's. ... the [Ariane] plan was move to continuous processing.
Although big one-piece solids had been built, occasionally and somewhat
experimentally, much earlier -- notably Aerojet's 260in monsters, meant as
strap-ons for the Saturn V or post-Saturn launchers, which were fired a
couple of times in the Apollo era. One of the proposals for the Shuttle
SRB was a one-piece design, although it was judged to be high-risk and
would have needed infrastructure changes (e.g. beefing up the VAB
cranes!), so it didn't win.
NASA's ASRM SRB-replacement project, started in the late 80s and intended
(before cost overruns and schedule slips) to be flying in the early 90s,
was still segmented but was to use continuous propellant production.
That was new and considered a bit daring, then; Aerojet built a pilot
plant to confirm feasibility, and scaling the process up was identified as
a schedule risk.
Henry
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