A number of options for Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) performance improvement were studied and evaluated by NASA with respect to payload improvement potential, technical risk, schedule, cost, and impact on Shuttle system performance. It was found that the SRM delivered specific impulse could be improved by increasing the nozzle expansion ratio from 7.16 to 7.72. This was achieved by decreasing the throat diameter of the nozzle exit cone, while staying within tooling, facility, and ICD limitations. A simple modification of the grain inhibiting pattern was made to reshape the thrust-time history and thereby obtain more delivered impulse during the early portion of motor operation. These performance options, initiated in October 1980, provide a 3,000 lb payload increase. Longer range options are the use of a filament wound composite case, a HTPB propellant, and further increases in the nozzle expansion ratio. These improvements have a potential of 10,000 to 11,000 lb payload increase.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Space Shuttle SRM performance improvement


    Contributors:
    Speak, C. A. (author) / Wilks, R. K. (author) / Jones, K. W. (author)

    Conference:

    Joint Propulsion Conference ; 1981 ; Colorado Springs, CO, US


    Publication date :

    1981-07-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Space Shuttle SRM performance improvement

    SPEAK, C. / WILKS, R. / JONES, K. | AIAA | 1981


    Space Shuttle main engine product improvement

    LUCCI, A. / KLATT, F. | AIAA | 1985


    Shuttle Space Suit Glove Thermal Protection and Performance Improvement Evolution

    Graziosi, D. / Cadogan, D. / Grahne, M. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1994


    Shuttle Space Suit Glove Thermal Protection and Performance Improvement Evolution

    Cadogan, Dave / Graziosi, David / Kosmo, Joseph et al. | SAE Technical Papers | 1994