Application of recent technologies for the next generation solid rocket motors

Paper number

IAC-06-C4.2.03

Author

Mr. Alain Mercier, Snecma Propulsion Solide, France

Coauthor

Ms. Aurélie Esnault, Snecma Propulsion Solide, France

Coauthor

Mr. Didier Boury, Snecma Propulsion Solide, France

Coauthor

Mr. Philippe Cloutet, SNPE Materiaux Energetiques, France

Coauthor

Mrs. Laurence Guénot, SNPE Materiaux Energetiques, France

Coauthor

Mr. Christophe Talbot, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), France

Year

2006

Abstract

The use of new technologies in the design of the next generation solid rocket motors allows to expect significant reductions in their cost as well as an increase in their performance. Cost reductions can be obtained through key technologies simplifying the manufacturing flow chart, and the use of advanced materials can allow lower inert mass, fewer parts thus higher performance and lower cost in the same time.

Application of these new technologies to an example of a possible future motor will be described in this paper. The selected application is a first stage motor (425 metric tons class) for a two-stage launcher (7 metric tons GTO class) studied in the frame of the French ELV2020 initiative, held by the French space agency CNES. Studies have been conducted for 3 years on this subject and lead to a precise vision of this motor.

The studies on this motor have focused on the identification of its performance parameters and their link to the use of current (mature) or next generation (to be matured) technologies. This work has led to design two different motors with different technology maturities and to compare them. The paper will present the key performance figures achievable through these next generation motors, as well as the key technologies to be matured in the next years.

Abstract document

IAC-06-C4.2.03.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-06-C4.2.03.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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