Session
Technical Session VII: Launch Vehicles
Abstract
Thiokol Corporation has been a leading producer of space motors for more than 25 years. During this time, more than 2000 motors have successfully flown, representing a 0.998 reliability. These motors have ranged in size from 5 to 63 in. in diameter with propellant loadings of 4 to 7167 Ibm and were designed to allow performance tailoring in order to meet specific customer requirements. Thiokol offers many mature small motor designs that offer high reliability at a low cost for small-satellite applications. Motors used for small-satellite applications in the past generally had mass fractions of less than 0.89 and effective specific impulses of less than 288Ibf-seC/lbm. Recently, newer, higher-performing, higher-mass-fraction small space motors have been developed with higher-performing propellants, graphite cases, and thrust vector control. This paper discusses the availability, reliability, and motor modifications for existing designs and outlines new technologies available for small space motors.
Solid Rocket Propulsion for Small-Satellite Applications
Thiokol Corporation has been a leading producer of space motors for more than 25 years. During this time, more than 2000 motors have successfully flown, representing a 0.998 reliability. These motors have ranged in size from 5 to 63 in. in diameter with propellant loadings of 4 to 7167 Ibm and were designed to allow performance tailoring in order to meet specific customer requirements. Thiokol offers many mature small motor designs that offer high reliability at a low cost for small-satellite applications. Motors used for small-satellite applications in the past generally had mass fractions of less than 0.89 and effective specific impulses of less than 288Ibf-seC/lbm. Recently, newer, higher-performing, higher-mass-fraction small space motors have been developed with higher-performing propellants, graphite cases, and thrust vector control. This paper discusses the availability, reliability, and motor modifications for existing designs and outlines new technologies available for small space motors.
