The StarBooster System: A Cargo Aircraft for Space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, Hubert P.; Dula, Arthur M.; McLaughlin, Don; Frassanito, John; Andrews, Jason (Editor)

1999-01-01

Starcraft Boosters has developed a different approach for lowering the cost of access to space. We propose developing a new aircraft that will house an existing expendable rocket stage. This vehicle, termed StarBooster, will be the first stage of a family of launch vehicles. By combining these elements, we believe we can reduce the cost and risk of fielding a new partially reusable launch system. This report summarizes the work performed on the StarBooster concept since the company's inception in 1996. Detailed analyses are on-going and future reports will focus on the maturation of the vehicle and system design.

Analysis of quasi-hybrid solid rocket booster concepts for advanced earth-to-orbit vehicles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zurawski, Robert L.; Rapp, Douglas C.

1987-01-01

A study was conducted to assess the feasibility of quasi-hybrid solid rocket boosters for advanced Earth-to-orbit vehicles. Thermochemical calculations were conducted to determine the effect of liquid hydrogen addition, solids composition change plus liquid hydrogen addition, and the addition of an aluminum/liquid hydrogen slurry on the theoretical performance of a PBAN solid propellant rocket. The space shuttle solid rocket booster was used as a reference point. All three quasi-hybrid systems theoretically offer higher specific impulse when compared with the space shuttle solid rocket boosters. However, based on operational and safety considerations, the quasi-hybrid rocket is not a practical choice for near-term Earth-to-orbit booster applications. Safety and technology issues pertinent to quasi-hybrid rocket systems are discussed.

Closeup view of the Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) Forward Skirt ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

Close-up view of the Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) Forward Skirt sitting on ground support equipment in the Solid Rocket Booster Assembly and Refurbishment Facility at Kennedy Space Center while being prepared for mating with the Frustum-Nose Cap Assembly and the Forward Rocket Motor Segment. The prominent feature in this view is the electrical, data, telemetry and safety systems terminal which connects to the Aft Skirt Assembly systems via the Systems Tunnel that runs the length of the Rocket Motor. - Space Transportation System, Solid Rocket Boosters, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Harris County, TX

General view of the Solid Rocket Booster's (SRB) Solid Rocket ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

General view of the Solid Rocket Booster's (SRB) Solid Rocket Motor Segments in the Surge Building of the Rotation Processing and Surge Facility at Kennedy Space Center awaiting transfer to the Vehicle Assembly Building and subsequent mounting and assembly on the Mobile Launch Platform. - Space Transportation System, Solid Rocket Boosters, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Harris County, TX

Closeup view of the Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) Forward Skirt, ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

Close-up view of the Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) Forward Skirt, Frustum and Nose Cap mated assembly undergoing final preparations in the Solid Rocket Booster Assembly and Refurbishment Facility at Kennedy Space Center. In this view the access panel on the Forward Skirt is removed and you can see a small portion of the interior of the Forward Skirt. - Space Transportation System, Solid Rocket Boosters, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Harris County, TX

Designing Liquid Rocket Engine Injectors for Performance, Stability, and Cost

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Westra, Douglas G.; West, Jeffrey S.

2014-01-01

NASA is developing the Space Launch System (SLS) for crewed exploration missions beyond low Earth orbit. Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is designing rocket engines for the SLS Advanced Booster (AB) concepts being developed to replace the Shuttle-derived solid rocket boosters. One AB concept uses large, Rocket-Propellant (RP)-fueled engines that pose significant design challenges. The injectors for these engines require high performance and stable operation while still meeting aggressive cost reduction goals for access to space. Historically, combustion stability problems have been a critical issue for such injector designs. Traditional, empirical injector design tools and methodologies, however, lack the ability to reliably predict complex injector dynamics that often lead to combustion stability. Reliance on these tools alone would likely result in an unaffordable test-fail-fix cycle for injector development. Recently at MSFC, a massively parallel computational fluid dynamics (CFD) program was successfully applied in the SLS AB injector design process. High-fidelity reacting flow simulations were conducted for both single-element and seven-element representations of the full-scale injector. Data from the CFD simulations was then used to significantly augment and improve the empirical design tools, resulting in a high-performance, stable injector design.

Closeup view of the Solid Rocket Booster Frustum and Nose ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

Close-up view of the Solid Rocket Booster Frustum and Nose Cap assembly undergoing preparations and assembly procedures in the Solid Rocket Booster Assembly and Refurbishment Facility at Kennedy Space Center. The Nose Cap contains the Pilot and Drogue Chutes and the Frustum contains the three Main Parachutes, Altitude Switches and forward booster Separation Motors. In this view the assembly is rotated so that the four Separation Motors are in view and aligned with the approximate centerline of the image. - Space Transportation System, Solid Rocket Boosters, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Harris County, TX

General view of a fully assembled Solid Rocket Booster sitting ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

General view of a fully assembled Solid Rocket Booster sitting atop the Mobile Launch Platform in the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center - Space Transportation System, Solid Rocket Boosters, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Harris County, TX

Redesign of solid rocket booster/external tank attachment ring for the space transportation system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mccomb, Harvey G., Jr. (Compiler)

1987-01-01

An improved design concept is presented for the Space Shuttle solid rocket booster (SRB)/external tank (ET) attachment ring structural component. This component picks up three struts which attach the aft end of each SRB to the ET. The concept is a partial ring with carefully tapered ends to distribute fastener loads safely into the SRB. Extensive design studies and analyses were performed to arrive at the concept. Experiments on structural elements were performed to determine material strength and stiffness characteristics. Materials and fabrication studies were conducted to determine acceptable tolerances for the design concept. An overview is provided of the work along with conclusions and major recommendations.

Shuttle rocket booster computational fluid dynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chung, T. J.; Park, O. Y.

1988-01-01

Additional results and a revised and improved computer program listing from the shuttle rocket booster computational fluid dynamics formulations are presented. Numerical calculations for the flame zone of solid propellants are carried out using the Galerkin finite elements, with perturbations expanded to the zeroth, first, and second orders. The results indicate that amplification of oscillatory motions does indeed prevail in high frequency regions. For the second order system, the trend is similar to the first order system for low frequencies, but instabilities may appear at frequencies lower than those of the first order system. The most significant effect of the second order system is that the admittance is extremely oscillatory between moderately high frequency ranges.

Probabilistic Structural Analysis of the Solid Rocket Booster Aft Skirt External Fitting Modification

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Townsend, John S.; Peck, Jeff; Ayala, Samuel

2000-01-01

NASA has funded several major programs (the Probabilistic Structural Analysis Methods Project is an example) to develop probabilistic structural analysis methods and tools for engineers to apply in the design and assessment of aerospace hardware. A probabilistic finite element software code, known as Numerical Evaluation of Stochastic Structures Under Stress, is used to determine the reliability of a critical weld of the Space Shuttle solid rocket booster aft skirt. An external bracket modification to the aft skirt provides a comparison basis for examining the details of the probabilistic analysis and its contributions to the design process. Also, analysis findings are compared with measured Space Shuttle flight data.

Closeup view of the Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) Forward Skirt ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

Close-up view of the Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) Forward Skirt sitting on ground support equipment in the Solid Rocket Booster Assembly and Refurbishment Facility at Kennedy Space Center while being prepared for mating with the Frustum-Nose Cap Assembly and the Forward Rocket Motor Segment. The prominent feature in this view is the Forward Thrust Attach Fitting which mates up with the Forward Thrust Attach Fitting of the External Tank (ET) at the ends of the SRB Beam that runs through the ET's Inter Tank Assembly. - Space Transportation System, Solid Rocket Boosters, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Harris County, TX

Study of solid rocket motor for a space shuttle booster

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

The study of solid rocket motors for a space shuttle booster was directed toward definition of a parallel-burn shuttle booster using two 156-in.-dia solid rocket motors. The study effort was organized into the following major task areas: system studies, preliminary design, program planning, and program costing.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Seen from below and through a solid rocket booster segment mockup, Jeff Thon, an SRB mechanic with United Space Alliance, tests the feasibility of a vertical solid rocket booster propellant grain inspection technique. The inspection of segments is required as part of safety analysis.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-09-11

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Seen from below and through a solid rocket booster segment mockup, Jeff Thon, an SRB mechanic with United Space Alliance, tests the feasibility of a vertical solid rocket booster propellant grain inspection technique. The inspection of segments is required as part of safety analysis.

Closeup view of the Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) Forward Skirt, ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

Close-up view of the Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) Forward Skirt, Frustum and Nose Cap mated assembly undergoing final preparations in the Solid Rocket Booster Assembly and Refurbishment Facility at Kennedy Space Center. The prominent feature in this view is the Forward Thrust Attach Fitting which mates up with the Forward Thrust Attach Fitting of the External Tank (ET) at the ends of the SRB Beam that runs through the ET's Inter Tank Assembly. - Space Transportation System, Solid Rocket Boosters, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Harris County, TX

Closeup view of the Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) Nose Caps ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

Close-up view of the Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) Nose Caps mounted on ground support equipment in the Solid Rocket Booster Assembly and Refurbishment Facility at Kennedy Space Center as they are being prepared for attachment to the SRB Frustum. The Nose Cap contains the Pilot and Drogue Chutes that are deployed prior to the main chutes as the SRBs descend to a splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean where they are recovered refurbished and reused. - Space Transportation System, Solid Rocket Boosters, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Harris County, TX

General view in the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

General view in the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center looking at one of a pair of Aft Center Segments of the Solid Rocket Motor of the Solid Rocket Booster awaiting hoisting and mating to the Solid Rocket Booster's Aft Segment on the Mobile Launch Platform. - Space Transportation System, Solid Rocket Boosters, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Harris County, TX

General view in the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

General view in the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center looking at one of a pair of Forward Segments of the Solid Rocket Motor of the Solid Rocket Booster awaiting hoisting and mating to the Solid Rocket Booster assembly on the Mobile Launch Platform. - Space Transportation System, Solid Rocket Boosters, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Harris County, TX

General view in the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

General view in the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center looking at one of a pair of Forward Center Segments of the Solid Rocket Motor of the Solid Rocket Booster awaiting hoisting and mating to the Solid Rocket Booster assembly on the Mobile Launch Platform. - Space Transportation System, Solid Rocket Boosters, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Harris County, TX

Space Shuttle Five-Segment Booster (Short Course)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Graves, Stanley R.; Rudolphi, Michael (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

NASA is considering upgrading the Space Shuttle by adding a fifth segment (FSB) to the current four-segment solid rocket booster. Course materials cover design and engineering issues related to the Reusable Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM) raised by the addition of a fifth segment to the rocket booster. Topics cover include: four segment vs. five segment booster, abort modes, FSB grain design, erosive burning, enhanced propellant burn rate, FSB erosive burning model development and hardware configuration.

Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) Flight System Integration at Its Best

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wood, T. David; Kanner, Howard S.; Freeland, Donna M.; Olson, Derek T.

2011-01-01

The Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) element integrates all the subsystems needed for ascent flight, entry, and recovery of the combined Booster and Motor system. These include the structures, avionics, thrust vector control, pyrotechnic, range safety, deceleration, thermal protection, and retrieval systems. This represents the only human-rated, recoverable and refurbishable solid rocket ever developed and flown. Challenges included subsystem integration, thermal environments and severe loads (including water impact), sometimes resulting in hardware attrition. Several of the subsystems evolved during the program through design changes. These included the thermal protection system, range safety system, parachute/recovery system, and others. Because the system was recovered, the SRB was ideal for data and imagery acquisition, which proved essential for understanding loads, environments and system response. The three main parachutes that lower the SRBs to the ocean are the largest parachutes ever designed, and the SRBs are the largest structures ever to be lowered by parachutes. SRB recovery from the ocean was a unique process and represented a significant operational challenge; requiring personnel, facilities, transportation, and ground support equipment. The SRB element achieved reliability via extensive system testing and checkout, redundancy management, and a thorough postflight assessment process. However, the in-flight data and postflight assessment process revealed the hardware was affected much more strongly than originally anticipated. Assembly and integration of the booster subsystems required acceptance testing of reused hardware components for each build. Extensive testing was done to assure hardware functionality at each level of stage integration. Because the booster element is recoverable, subsystems were available for inspection and testing postflight, unique to the Shuttle launch vehicle. Problems were noted and corrective actions were implemented as needed. The postflight assessment process was quite detailed and a significant portion of flight operations. The SRBs provided fully redundant critical systems including thrust vector control, mission critical pyrotechnics, avionics, and parachute recovery system. The design intent was to lift off with full redundancy. On occasion, the redundancy management scheme was needed during flight operations. This paper describes some of the design challenges and technical issues, how the design evolved with time, and key areas where hardware reusability contributed to improved system level understanding.

Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) - Evolution and Lessons Learned During the Shuttle Program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kanner, Howard S.; Freeland, Donna M.; Olson, Derek T.; Wood, T. David; Vaccaro, Mark V.

2011-01-01

The Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) element integrates all the subsystems needed for ascent flight, entry, and recovery of the combined Booster and Motor system. These include the structures, avionics, thrust vector control, pyrotechnic, range safety, deceleration, thermal protection, and retrieval systems. This represents the only human-rated, recoverable and refurbishable solid rocket ever developed and flown. Challenges included subsystem integration, thermal environments and severe loads (including water impact), sometimes resulting in hardware attrition. Several of the subsystems evolved during the program through design changes. These included the thermal protection system, range safety system, parachute/recovery system, and others. Obsolescence issues occasionally required component recertification. Because the system was recovered, the SRB was ideal for data and imagery acquisition, which proved essential for understanding loads and system response. The three main parachutes that lower the SRBs to the ocean are the largest parachutes ever designed, and the SRBs are the largest structures ever to be lowered by parachutes. SRB recovery from the ocean was a unique process and represented a significant operational challenge; requiring personnel, facilities, transportation, and ground support equipment. The SRB element achieved reliability via extensive system testing and checkout, redundancy management, and a thorough postflight assessment process. Assembly and integration of the booster subsystems was a unique process and acceptance testing of reused hardware components was required for each build. Extensive testing was done to assure hardware functionality at each level of stage integration. Because the booster element is recoverable, subsystems were available for inspection and testing postflight, unique to the Shuttle launch vehicle. Problems were noted and corrective actions were implemented as needed. The postflight assessment process was quite detailed and a significant portion of flight operations. The SRBs provided fully redundant critical systems including thrust vector control, mission critical pyrotechnics, avionics, and parachute recovery system. The design intent was to lift off with full redundancy. On occasion, the redundancy management scheme was needed during flight operations. This paper describes some of the design challenges, how the design evolved with time, and key areas where hardware reusability contributed to improved system level understanding.

Vibration characteristics of 1/8-scale dynamic models of the space-shuttle solid-rocket boosters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leadbetter, S. A.; Stephens, W.; Sewall, J. L.; Majka, J. W.; Barret, J. R.

1976-01-01

Vibration tests and analyses of six 1/8 scale models of the space shuttle solid rocket boosters are reported. Natural vibration frequencies and mode shapes were obtained for these aluminum shell models having internal solid fuel configurations corresponding to launch, midburn (maximum dynamic pressure), and near endburn (burnout) flight conditions. Test results for longitudinal, torsional, bending, and shell vibration frequencies are compared with analytical predictions derived from thin shell theory and from finite element plate and beam theory. The lowest analytical longitudinal, torsional, bending, and shell vibration frequencies were within + or - 10 percent of experimental values. The effects of damping and asymmetric end skirts on natural vibration frequency were also considered. The analytical frequencies of an idealized full scale space shuttle solid rocket boosted structure are computed with and without internal pressure and are compared with the 1/8 scale model results.

Five-Segment Reusable Solid Rocket Booster Upgrade

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sauvageau, Don

1999-01-01

The Five Segment Reusable Solid Rocket Booster (RSRB) feasibility status is presented in viewgraph form. The Five Segment Booster (FSB) objective is to provide a low cost, low risk approach to increase reliability and safety of the Shuttle system. Topics include: booster upgrade requirements; design summary; reliability issues; booster trajectories; launch site assessment; and enhanced abort modes.

Space Shuttle with rail system and aft thrust structure securing solid rocket boosters to external tank

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vonpragenau, G. L. (Inventor)

1984-01-01

The configuration and relationship of the external propellant tank and solid rocket boosters of space transportation systems such as the space shuttle are described. The space shuttle system with the improved propellant tank is shown. The external tank has a forward pressure vessel for liquid hydrogen and an aft pressure vessel for liquid oxygen. The solid rocket boosters are joined together by a thrust frame which extends across and behind the external tank. The thrust of the orbiter's main rocket engines are transmitted to the aft portion of the external tank and the thrust of the solid rocket boosters are transmitted to the aft end of the external tank.

Development of technology for modeling of a 1/8-scale dynamic model of the shuttle Solid Rocket Booster (SRB)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Levy, A.; Zalesak, J.; Bernstein, M.; Mason, P. W.

1974-01-01

A NASTRAN analysis of the solid rocket booster (SRB) substructure of the space shuttle 1/8-scale structural dynamics model. The NASTRAN finite element modeling capability was first used to formulate a model of a cylinder 10 in. radius by a 200 in. length to investigate the accuracy and adequacy of the proposed grid point spacing. Results were compared with a shell analysis and demonstrated relatively accurate results for NASTRAN for the lower modes, which were of primary interest. A finite element model of the full SRB was then formed using CQUAD2 plate elements containing membrane and bending stiffness and CBAR offset bar elements to represent the longerons and frames. Three layers of three-dimensional CHEXAI elements were used to model the propellant. This model, consisting of 4000 degrees of freedom (DOF) initially, was reduced to 176 DOF using Guyan reduction. The model was then submitted for complex Eigenvalue analysis. After experiencing considerable difficulty with attempts to run the complete model, it was split into two substructres. These were run separately and combined into a single 116 degree of freedom A set which was successfully run. Results are reported.

Finite Element Simulation of Solid Rocket Booster Separation Motors During Motor Firing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yu. Weiping; Crane, Debora J.

2007-01-01

One of the toughest challenges facing Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) engineers is to ensure that any design changes made to the Shuttle-Derived Booster Separation Motors (BSM) for future space exploration vehicles is able to withstand the increasingly hostile motor firing environment without cracking its critical component - the graphite throat. This paper presents a critical analysis methodology and techniques for assessing effects of BSM design changes with great accuracy and precision. For current Space Shuttle operation, the motor firing occurs at SRB separation - approximately 125 seconds after Shuttle launch at an altitude of about 28 miles. The motor operation event lasts about two seconds, however, the surface temperature of the graphite throat increases approximately 3400 F in less than one second with a corresponding increase in surface pressure of approximately 2200 pounds per square inch (psi) in less than one-tenth of a second. To capture this process fully and accurately, a two-phase sequentially coupled thermal-mechanical finite element approach was developed. This method allows the time- and location-dependent pressure fields to interact with the spatial-temporal thermal fields throughout the operation. The material properties of graphite throat are orthotropic and temperature-dependent. The analysis involves preload and multiple body contacts.

Annual Report by Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1980-01-01

Elements of the shuttle program that directly affect the mission success and crew safety were investigated. These elements included the shuttle orbiter, the main engine, the solid rocket boosters, avionic system, ground support equipment and the approach and landing operations. The thermal protection systems were studied in detail. Crew training and ground simulation test procedures were reviewed.

Liquid rocket booster study. Volume 1: Executive summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of Liquid Rocket Boosters (LRBs) replacing Solid Rocket Boosters on the Space Shuttle program. The major findings are given. The most significant conclusion is that LRBs offer significantly safety and performance advantages over the SRBs currently used by the STS without major impact to the ongoing program.

Closeup view of the Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) Frustum mounted ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

Close-up view of the Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) Frustum mounted on ground support equipment in the Solid Rocket Booster Assembly and Refurbishment Facility at Kennedy Space Center as it is being prepared to be mated with the Nose Cap and Forward Skirt. The Frustum contains the three Main Parachutes, Altitude Switches and forward booster Separation Motors. The Separation Motors burn for one second to ensure the SRBs drift away from the External Tank and Orbiter at separation. The three main parachutes are deployed to reduce speed as the SRBs descend to a splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean where they are recovered refurbished and reused. - Space Transportation System, Solid Rocket Boosters, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Harris County, TX

Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster Decelerator Subsystem Drop Test 3 - Anatomy of a failure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Runkle, R. E.; Woodis, W. R.

1979-01-01

A test failure dramatically points out a design weakness or the limits of the material in the test article. In a low budget test program, with a very limited number of tests, a test failure sparks supreme efforts to investigate, analyze, and/or explain the anomaly and to improve the design such that the failure will not recur. The third air drop of the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster Recovery System experienced such a dramatic failure. On air drop 3, the 54-ft drogue parachute was totally destroyed 0.7 sec after deployment. The parachute failure investigation, based on analysis of drop test data and supporting ground element test results is presented. Drogue design modifications are also discussed.

Structural analysis of the space shuttle solid rocket booster/external tank attach ring

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dorsey, John T.

1988-01-01

An External Tank (ET) attach ring is used in the Space Shuttle System to transfer lateral loads between the ET and the Solid Rocket Booster (SRB). Following the Challenger (51-L) accident, the flight performance of the ET attach ring was reviewed, and negative margins of safety and failed bolts in the attach ring were subsequently identified. The analyses described in this report were performed in order to understand the existing ET attach ring structural response to motor case internal pressurization as well as to aid in an ET attach ring redesign effort undertaken by NASA LaRC. The finite element model as well as the results from linear and nonlinear static structural analyses are described.

SRB Processing Facilities Media Event

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-03-01

Members of the news media view forward booster segments (painted green) for NASA’s Space Launch System rocket boosters inside the Booster Fabrication Facility (BFF) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Orbital ATK is a contractor for NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama, and operates the BFF to prepare aft booster segments and hardware for the SLS rocket boosters. The SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft will launch on Exploration Mission-1 in 2018. The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is preparing the infrastructure to process and launch spacecraft for deep-space missions and the journey to Mars.

EELV Booster Assist Options for CEV

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McNeal, Curtis, Jr.

2005-01-01

Medium lift EELVs may still play a role in manned space flight. To be considered for manned flight, medium lift EELVs must address the short comings in their current boost assist motors. Two options exist: redesign and requalify the solid rocket motors. Replace solid rocket motors (SRMs) with hybrid rocket motors. Hybrid rocket motors are an attractive alternative. They are safer than SRMs. The TRL's Lockheed Martin Small Launch Vehicle booster development substantially lowers the development risk, cost risk, and the schedule risk for developing hybrid boost assist for EELVs. Hybrid boosters testability offsets SRMs higher inherent reliability.Hybrid booster development and recurring costs are lower than SRMs. Performance gains are readily achieved.

Lightning protection for shuttle propulsion elements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goodloe, Carolyn C.; Giudici, Robert J.

1991-01-01

The results of lightning protection analyses and tests are weighed against the present set of waivers to the NASA lightning protection specification. The significant analyses and tests are contrasted with the release of a new and more realistic lightning protection specification, in September 1990, that resulted in an inordinate number of waivers. A variety of lightning protection analyses and tests of the Shuttle propulsion elements, the Solid Rocket Booster, the External Tank, and the Space Shuttle Main Engine, were conducted. These tests range from the sensitivity of solid propellant during shipping to penetration of cryogenic tanks during flight. The Shuttle propulsion elements have the capability to survive certain levels of lightning strikes at certain times during transportation, launch site operations, and flight. Changes are being evaluated that may improve the odds of withstanding a major lightning strike. The Solid Rocket Booster is the most likely propulsion element to survive if systems tunnel bond straps are improved. Wiring improvements were already incorporated and major protection tests were conducted. The External Tank remains vulnerable to burn-through penetration of its skin. Proposed design improvements include the use of a composite nose cone and conductive or laminated thermal protection system coatings.

Ultrasonic inspection of rocket fuel model using laminated transducer and multi-channel step pulser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mihara, T.; Hamajima, T.; Tashiro, H.; Sato, A.

2013-01-01

For the ultrasonic inspection for the packing of solid fuel in a rocket booster, an industrial inspection is difficult. Because the signal to noise ratio in ultrasonic inspection of rocket fuel become worse due to the large attenuation even using lower frequency ultrasound. For the improvement of this problem, we tried to applied the two techniques in ultrasonic inspection, one was the step function pulser system with the super wideband frequency properties and the other was the laminated element transducer. By combining these two techniques, we developed the new ultrasonic measurement system and demonstrated the advantages in ultrasonic inspection of rocket fuel model specimen.

SRB Processing Facilities Media Event

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-03-01

The right-hand aft skirt, one part of the aft booster assembly for NASA’s Space Launch System solid rocket boosters, is in view in a processing cell inside the Booster Fabrication Facility (BFF) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Orbital ATK is a contractor for NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama, and operates the BFF to prepare aft booster segments and hardware for the SLS rocket boosters. The SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft will launch on Exploration Mission-1 in 2018. The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is preparing the infrastructure to process and launch spacecraft for deep-space missions and the journey to Mars.

Viscoelastic propellant effects on Space Shuttle Dynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bugg, F.

1981-01-01

The program of solid propellant research performed in support of the space shuttle dynamics modeling effort is described. Stiffness, damping, and compressibility of the propellant and the effects of many variables on these properties are discussed. The relationship between the propellant and solid rocket booster dynamics during liftoff and boost flight conditions and the effects of booster vibration and propellant stiffness on free free solid rocket booster modes are described. Coupled modes of the shuttle system and the effect of propellant stiffness on the interfaces of the booster and the external tank are described. A finite shell model of the solid rocket booster was developed.

StarBooster Demonstrator Cluster Configuration Analysis/Verification Program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

DeTurris, Dianne J.

2003-01-01

In order to study the flight dynamics of the cluster configuration of two first stage boosters and upper-stage, flight-testing of subsonic sub-scale models has been undertaken using two glideback boosters launched on a center upper-stage. Three high power rockets clustered together were built and flown to demonstrate vertical launch, separation and horizontal recovery of the boosters. Although the boosters fly to conventional aircraft landing, the centerstage comes down separately under its own parachute. The goal of the project has been to collect data during separation and flight for comparison with a six degree of freedom simulation. The configuration for the delta wing canard boosters comes from a design by Starcraft Boosters, Inc. The subscale rockets were constructed of foam covered in carbon or fiberglass and were launched with commercially available solid rocket motors. The first set of boosters built were 3-ft tall with a 4-ft tall centerstage, and two additional sets of boosters were made that were each over 5-ft tall with a 7.5 ft centerstage. The rocket cluster is launched vertically, then after motor bum out the boosters are separated and flown to a horizontal landing under radio-control. An on-board data acquisition system recorded data during both the launch and glide phases of flight.

Finite Element Simulation of a Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster Aft Skirt Splashdown Using an Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Melis, Matthew E.

2003-01-01

Explicit finite element techniques employing an Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) methodology, within the transient dynamic code LS-DYNA, are used to predict splashdown loads on a proposed replacement/upgrade of the hydrazine tanks on the thrust vector control system housed within the aft skirt of a Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster. Two preliminary studies are performed prior to the full aft skirt analysis: An analysis of the proposed tank impacting water without supporting aft skirt structure, and an analysis of space capsule water drop tests conducted at NASA's Langley Research Center. Results from the preliminary studies provide confidence that useful predictions can be made by applying the ALE methodology to a detailed analysis of a 26-degree section of the skirt with proposed tank attached. Results for all three studies are presented and compared to limited experimental data. The challenges of using the LS-DYNA ALE capability for this type of analysis are discussed.

Finite Element Simulation of a Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster Aft Skirt Splashdown Using an Arbitrary Lagrangian-eulerian Approach

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Melis, Matthew E.

2003-01-01

Explicit finite element techniques employing an Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) methodology, within the transient dynamic code LS-DYNA, are used to predict splashdown loads on a proposed replacement/upgrade of the hydrazine tanks on the thrust vector control system housed within the aft skirt of a Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster. Two preliminary studies are performed prior to the full aft skirt analysis: An analysis of the proposed tank impacting water without supporting aft skirt structure, and an analysis of space capsule water drop tests conducted at NASA's Langley Research Center. Results from the preliminary studies provide confidence that useful predictions can be made by applying the ALE methodology to a detailed analysis of a 26-degree section of the skirt with proposed tank attached. Results for all three studies are presented and compared to limited experimental data. The challenges of using the LS-DYNA ALE capability for this type of analysis are discussed.

Space Launch System Base Heating Test: Sub-Scale Rocket Engine/Motor Design, Development and Performance Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mehta, Manish; Seaford, Mark; Kovarik, Brian; Dufrene, Aaron; Solly, Nathan; Kirchner, Robert; Engel, Carl D.

2014-01-01

The Space Launch System (SLS) base heating test is broken down into two test programs: (1) Pathfinder and (2) Main Test. The Pathfinder Test Program focuses on the design, development, hot-fire test and performance analyses of the 2% sub-scale SLS core-stage and booster element propulsion systems. The core-stage propulsion system is composed of four gaseous oxygen/hydrogen RS-25D model engines and the booster element is composed of two aluminum-based model solid rocket motors (SRMs). The first section of the paper discusses the motivation and test facility specifications for the test program. The second section briefly investigates the internal flow path of the design. The third section briefly shows the performance of the model RS-25D engines and SRMs for the conducted short duration hot-fire tests. Good agreement is observed based on design prediction analysis and test data. This program is a challenging research and development effort that has not been attempted in 40+ years for a NASA vehicle.

Solid Rocket Booster Separation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1998-01-01

This Quick Time movie shows the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) separation from the external tank (ET). After separation, the boosters fall to the ocean from which they are retrieved and refurbished for reuse. The Shuttle's SRB's and solid rocket motors (SRM's) are the largest ever built and the first designed for refurbishment and reuse. Standing nearly 150-feet high, the twin boosters provide the majority of thrust for the first two minutes of flight, about 5.8 million pounds. That is equivalent to 44 million horsepower, or the combined power of 400,000 subcompact cars.

SRB Processing Facilities Media Event

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-03-01

Inside the Booster Fabrication Facility (BFF) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, members of the news media view a forward skirt that will be used on a solid rocket booster for NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. Orbital ATK is a contractor for NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama, and operates the BFF to prepare aft booster segments and hardware for the SLS solid rocket boosters. Rick Serfozo, Orbital ATK Florida site director, talks to the media. The SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft will launch on Exploration Mission-1 in 2018. The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is preparing the infrastructure to process and launch spacecraft for deep-space missions and the journey to Mars.

KSC-2009-2144

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-03-18

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ship Liberty Star tows a booster to the dock at Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida March 15 on mission STS-119. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea after a launch. The spent rockets were recovered by NASA's Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ships Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about six by nine nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and, after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

KSC-2009-2141

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-03-18

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ship Liberty Star tows a booster to the dock at Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida March 15 on mission STS-119. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea after a launch. The spent rockets were recovered by NASA's Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ships Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about six by nine nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and, after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

Shuttle Boosters stacked in the VAB

NASA Image and Video Library

2007-01-04

Workers continue stacking the solid rocket boosters in highbay 1 inside Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building. The solid rocket boosters are being prepared for NASA's next Space Shuttle launch, mission STS-117. The mission is scheduled to launch aboard Atlantis no earlier than March 16, 2007.

KSC-08pd3730

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-11-19

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA's Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ship Freedom Star tows along its side one of the spent booster rockets from the space shuttle Endeavour launch Nov. 14 on the STS-126 mission. The ship is returning the spent rocket to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about six by nine nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and, after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Shuttle Boosters stacked in the VAB

NASA Image and Video Library

2007-01-04

Workers continue stacking the twin solid rocket boosters in highbay 1 inside Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building. The solid rocket boosters are being prepared for NASA's next Space Shuttle launch, mission STS-117. The mission is scheduled to launch aboard Atlantis no earlier than March 16, 2007.

SRB Processing Facilities Media Event

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-03-01

Inside the Booster Fabrication Facility (BFF) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, members of the news media view the right-hand aft skirt that will be used on a solid rocket booster for NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. Orbital ATK is contractor for NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama, and operates the BFF to prepare aft booster segments and hardware for the SLS solid rocket boosters. At far right, in the royal blue shirt, Rick Serfozo, Orbital ATK Florida site director, talks to the media. The SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft will launch on Exploration Mission-1 in 2018. The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is preparing the infrastructure to process and launch spacecraft for deep-space missions and the journey to Mars.

Closeup view of the Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) Frustum mounted ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

Close-up view of the Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) Frustum mounted on ground support equipment in the Solid Rocket Booster Assembly and Refurbishment Facility at Kennedy Space Center as it is being prepared to be mated with the Nose Cap and Forward Skirt. The Frustum contains the three Main Parachutes, Altitude Switches and forward booster Separation Motors. The Separation Motors burn for one second to ensure the SRBs drift away from the External Tank and Orbiter at separation. The three main parachutes are deployed to reduce speed as the SRBs descend to a splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean where they are recovered refurbished and reused. In this view the assembly is rotated so that the four Separation Motors are in view and aligned with the approximate centerline of the image. - Space Transportation System, Solid Rocket Boosters, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Harris County, TX

KSC-2009-2142

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-03-18

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the dock at Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the solid rocket booster is lifted out of the water by the straddle crane. The booster, used during space shuttle Discovery's launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida March 15 on mission STS-119, will be placed on a transporter. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea after a launch. The spent rockets were recovered by NASA's Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ships Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about six by nine nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and, after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

KSC-2009-2143

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-03-18

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the dock at Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the straddle crane lowers a solid rocket booster onto a transporter. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida March 15 on mission STS-119. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea after a launch. The spent rockets were recovered by NASA's Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ships Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about six by nine nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and, after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

KSC-2009-2140

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-03-18

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the dock at Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the frustum of a solid rocket booster is moved onto a transporter. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's launch on mission STS-119 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida March 15. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea after a launch. The spent rockets were recovered by NASA's Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ships Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about six by nine nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and, after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

KSC-08pd3733

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-11-19

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the dock at Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, workers move the spent solid rocket booster to an area beneath the straddle crane that will lift it out of the water. The booster is from space shuttle Endeavour, which launched Nov. 14 on the STS-126 mission. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The spent rocket was recovered by NASA's Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ship Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about six by nine nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and, after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-08pd3734

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-11-19

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the dock at Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the straddle crane lifts a spent solid rocket booster to allow saltwater contamination to be rinsed off. The booster is from space shuttle Endeavour, which launched Nov. 14 on the STS-126 mission. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The spent rocket was recovered by NASA's Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ship Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about six by nine nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and, after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Update on Risk Reduction Activities for a Liquid Advanced Booster for NASA's Space Launch System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crocker, Andy; Greene, William D.

2017-01-01

Goals of NASA's Advanced Booster Engineering Demonstration and/or Risk Reduction (ABEDRR) are to: (1) Reduce risks leading to an affordable Advanced Booster that meets the evolved capabilities of SLS. (2) Enable competition by mitigating targeted Advanced Booster risks to enhance SLS affordability. SLS Block 1 vehicle is being designed to carry 70 mT to LEO: (1) Uses two five-segment solid rocket boosters (SRBs) similar to the boosters that helped power the space shuttle to orbit. Evolved 130 mT payload class rocket requires an advanced booster with more thrust than any existing U.S. liquid-or solid-fueled boosters

Subsonic Glideback Rocket Demonstrator Flight Testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

DeTurris, Dianne J.; Foster, Trevor J.; Barthel, Paul E.; Macy, Daniel J.; Droney, Christopher K.; Talay, Theodore A. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

For the past two years, Cal Poly's rocket program has been aggressively exploring the concept of remotely controlled, fixed wing, flyable rocket boosters. This program, embodied by a group of student engineers known as Cal Poly Space Systems, has successfully demonstrated the idea of a rocket design that incorporates a vertical launch pattern followed by a horizontal return flight and landing. Though the design is meant for supersonic flight, CPSS demonstrators are deployed at a subsonic speed. Many steps have been taken by the club that allowed the evolution of the StarBooster prototype to reach its current size: a ten-foot tall, one-foot diameter, composite material rocket. Progress is currently being made that involves multiple boosters along with a second stage, third rocket.

Ares I-X: On the Threshold of Exploration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, Stephan R.; Askins, Bruce

2009-01-01

Ares I-X, the first flight of the Ares I crew launch vehicle, is less than a year from launch. Ares I-X will test the flight characteristics of Ares I from liftoff to first stage separation and recovery. The flight also will demonstrate the computer hardware and software (avionics) needed to control the vehicle; deploy the parachutes that allow the first stage booster to land in the ocean safely; measure and control how much the rocket rolls during flight; test and measure the effects of first stage separation; and develop and try out new ground handling and rocket stacking procedures in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) and first stage recovery procedures at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida. All Ares I-X major elements have completed their critical design reviews, and are nearing final fabrication. The first stage--four-segment solid rocket booster from the Space Shuttle inventory--incorporates new simulated forward structures to match the Ares I five-segment booster. The upper stage, Orion crew module, and launch abort system will comprise simulator hardware that incorporates developmental flight instrumentation for essential data collection during the mission. The upper stage simulator consists of smaller cylindrical segments, which were transported to KSC in fall 2008. The crew module and launch abort system simulator were shipped in December 2008. The first stage hardware, active roll control system (RoCS), and avionics components will be delivered to KSC in 2009. This paper will provide detailed statuses of the Ares I-X hardware elements as NASA's Constellation Program prepares for this first flight of a new exploration era in the summer of 2009.

Solid rocket booster thermal protection system materials development. [space shuttle boosters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dean, W. G.

1978-01-01

A complete run log of all tests conducted in the NASA-MSFC hot gas test facility during the development of materials for the space shuttle solid rocket booster thermal protection system are presented. Lists of technical reports and drawings generated under the contract are included.

Effects of damping on mode shapes, volume 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gates, R. M.; Merchant, D. H.; Arnquist, J. L.

1977-01-01

Displacement, velocity, and acceleration admittances were calculated for a realistic NASTRAN structural model of space shuttle for three conditions: liftoff, maximum dynamic pressure and end of solid rocket booster burn. The realistic model of the orbiter, external tank, and solid rocket motors included the representation of structural joint transmissibilities by finite stiffness and damping elements. Data values for the finite damping elements were assigned to duplicate overall low-frequency modal damping values taken from tests of similar vehicles. For comparison with the calculated admittances, position and rate gains were computed for a conventional shuttle model for the liftoff condition. Dynamic characteristics and admittances for the space shuttle model are presented.

Effects of damping on mode shapes, volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gates, R. M.

1977-01-01

Displacement, velocity, and acceleration admittances were calculated for a realistic NASTRAN structural model of space shuttle for three conditions: liftoff, maximum dynamic pressure and end of solid rocket booster burn. The realistic model of the orbiter, external tank, and solid rocket motors included the representation of structural joint transmissibilities by finite stiffness and damping elements. Methods developed to incorporate structural joints and their damping characteristics into a finite element model of the space shuttle, to determine the point damping parameters required to produce realistic damping in the primary modes, and to calculate the effect of distributed damping on structural resonances through the calculation of admittances.

Orion EM-1 Forward Skirt Move from Hangar AF to BFF

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-08-30

The Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1) left-hand forward skirt for NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) solid rocket boosters arrives inside the high bay at the Booster Fabrication Facility (BFF) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In the BFF, the forward skirt will be inspected and prepared for use on the left-hand solid rocket booster for EM-1. NASA's Orion spacecraft will fly atop the SLS rocket on its first uncrewed flight test.

KSC-08pd0736

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-03-12

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, motors through Port Canaveral with a solid rocket booster alongside. The booster is from space shuttle Endeavour, which launched the STS-123 mission on March 11. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about 6 by 9 nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters, which they tow back to port. After transfer to a position alongside the ship, the booster will be towed to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

KSC-08pd0741

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-03-12

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, nears Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station with a solid rocket booster alongside. The booster is from space shuttle Endeavour, which launched the STS-123 mission on March 11. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about 6 by 9 nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters, which they tow back to port. After transfer to a position alongside the ship, the booster will be towed to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

KSC-08pd0738

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-03-12

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, crosses through the drawbridge over the Haulover Canal into the Banana River. The ship is towing a solid rocket booster alongside. The booster is from space shuttle Endeavour, which launched the STS-123 mission on March 11. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about 6 by 9 nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters, which they tow back to port. After transfer to a position alongside the ship, the booster will be towed to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

KSC-08pd0740

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-03-12

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, tows a solid rocket booster alongside, heading for Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The booster is from space shuttle Endeavour, which launched the STS-123 mission on March 11. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about 6 by 9 nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters, which they tow back to port. After transfer to a position alongside the ship, the booster will be towed to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

KSC-08pd0737

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-03-12

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, motors through Port Canaveral with a solid rocket booster alongside. The booster is from space shuttle Endeavour, which launched the STS-123 mission on March 11. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about 6 by 9 nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters, which they tow back to port. After transfer to a position alongside the ship, the booster will be towed to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

KSC-2009-2139

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-03-18

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the dock at Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, one of the solid rocket boosters used during space shuttle Discovery's launch March 15 on mission STS-119 is moved to an area beneath the straddle crane that will lift it out of the water. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea after a launch. The spent rockets were recovered by NASA's Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ships Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about six by nine nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and, after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

KSC-2009-2145

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-03-18

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the dock at Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, a solid rocket boosters used during space shuttle Discovery's launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida March 15 on mission STS-119 waits in an area beneath the straddle crane that will lift it out of the water. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea after a launch. The spent rockets were recovered by NASA's Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ships Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about six by nine nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and, after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

KSC-08pd3732

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-11-19

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the dock at Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the spent solid rocket booster from space shuttle Endeavour's launch Nov. 14 on mission STS-126 is moved to an area beneath the straddle crane that will lift it out of the water. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The spent rocket was recovered by NASA's Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ship Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about six by nine nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and, after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Study of solid rocket motors for a space shuttle booster. Volume 1: Executive summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

An analysis of the solid propellant rocket engines for use with the space shuttle booster was conducted. A definition of the specific solid propellant rocket engine stage designs, development program requirements, production requirements, launch requirements, and cost data for each program phase were developed.

SRB Processing Facilities Media Event

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-03-01

Inside the Booster Fabrication Facility (BFF) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, members of the news media photograph a frustrum that will be stacked atop a forward skirt for one of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) solid rocket boosters. Orbital ATK is a contractor for NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama, and operates the BFF to prepare aft booster segments and hardware for the SLS solid rocket boosters. The SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft will launch on Exploration Mission-1 in 2018. The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is preparing the infrastructure to process and launch spacecraft on deep-space missions and the journey to Mars.

Space shuttle solid rocket booster recovery system definition, volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1973-01-01

The performance requirements, preliminary designs, and development program plans for an airborne recovery system for the space shuttle solid rocket booster are discussed. The analyses performed during the study phase of the program are presented. The basic considerations which established the system configuration are defined. A Monte Carlo statistical technique using random sampling of the probability distribution for the critical water impact parameters was used to determine the failure probability of each solid rocket booster component as functions of impact velocity and component strength capability.

Orion EM-1 Forward Skirt Move from Hangar AF to BFF

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-08-30

The Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1) left-hand forward skirt for NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) solid rocket boosters arrives at the entrance to the high bay at the Booster Fabrication Facility (BFF) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In the BFF, the forward skirt will be inspected and prepared for use on the left-hand solid rocket booster for EM-1. NASA's Orion spacecraft will fly atop the SLS rocket on its first uncrewed flight test.

Orion EM-1 Forward Skirt Move from Hangar AF to BFF

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-08-30

The Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1) left-hand forward skirt for NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) solid rocket boosters arrives at the Booster Fabrication Facility (BFF) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida from Hangar AE at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. In the BFF, the forward skirt will be inspected and prepared for use on the left-hand solid rocket booster for EM-1. NASA's Orion spacecraft will fly atop the SLS rocket on its first uncrewed flight test.

Orion EM-1 Forward Skirt Transport from Hangar AF to BFF

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-08-30

The Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1) left-hand forward skirt for NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) solid rocket boosters is transported by truck to the Booster Fabrication Facility (BFF) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida from Hangar AE at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. In the BFF, the forward skirt will be inspected and prepared for use on the left-hand solid rocket booster for EM-1. NASA's Orion spacecraft will fly atop the SLS rocket on its first uncrewed flight test.

KSC-99pp0653

NASA Image and Video Library

1999-06-04

At Launch Pad 17A, Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS), the launch tower again encircles the Boeing Delta II rocket after being mated with its solid rocket boosters. The rocket is targeted to launch NASA's Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) on June 23 at CCAS. Developed by The Johns Hopkins University under contract to Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md., FUSE will investigate the origin and evolution of the lightest elements in the universe hydrogen and deuterium. In addition, the FUSE satellite will examine the forces and process involved in the evolution of the galaxies, stars and planetary systems by investigating light in the far ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic spectrum

KSC-99pp0649

NASA Image and Video Library

1999-06-04

A solid rocket booster arrives at Launch Pad 17A, Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS), where it will be mated with the Boeing Delta II rocket in the background. The rocket is targeted to launch NASA's Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) on June 23 at CCAS. Developed by The Johns Hopkins University under contract to Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md., FUSE will investigate the origin and evolution of the lightest elements in the universe hydrogen and deuterium. In addition, the FUSE satellite will examine the forces and process involved in the evolution of the galaxies, stars and planetary systems by investigating light in the far ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic spectrum

KSC-99pp0651

NASA Image and Video Library

1999-06-04

Two solid rocket boosters are lifted up the tower on Launch Pad 17A, Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS), to be mated with a Boeing Delta II rocket. The rocket is targeted to launch NASA's Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) on June 23 at CCAS. Developed by The Johns Hopkins University under contract to Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md., FUSE will investigate the origin and evolution of the lightest elements in the universe hydrogen and deuterium. In addition, the FUSE satellite will examine the forces and process involved in the evolution of the galaxies, stars and planetary systems by investigating light in the far ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic spectrum

KSC-99pp0652

NASA Image and Video Library

1999-06-04

At Launch Pad 17A, Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS), workers check the solid rocket boosters overhead being mated with the Boeing Delta II rocket already in place. The rocket is targeted to launch NASA's Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) on June 23 at CCAS. Developed by The Johns Hopkins University under contract to Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md., FUSE will investigate the origin and evolution of the lightest elements in the universe hydrogen and deuterium. In addition, the FUSE satellite will examine the forces and process involved in the evolution of the galaxies, stars and planetary systems by investigating light in the far ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic spectrum

KSC-99pp0650

NASA Image and Video Library

1999-06-04

A Boeing Delta II rocket sits on Launch Pad 17A, Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS), waiting to be mated with its solid rocket boosters. The rocket is targeted to launch NASA's Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) on June 23 at CCAS. Developed by The Johns Hopkins University under contract to Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md., FUSE will investigate the origin and evolution of the lightest elements in the universe hydrogen and deuterium. In addition, the FUSE satellite will examine the forces and process involved in the evolution of the galaxies, stars and planetary systems by investigating light in the far ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic spectrum

Shuttle Boosters stacked in the VAB

NASA Image and Video Library

2007-01-04

Lighting inside Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building seems to bathe the highbay 1 area in a golden hue as workers continue stacking the twin solid rocket boosters. The solid rocket boosters are being prepared for NASA's next Space Shuttle launch, mission STS-117. The mission is scheduled to launch aboard Atlantis no earlier than March 16, 2007.

Study of solid rocket motors for a space shuttle booster. Volume 3: Program acquisition planning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vonderesch, A. H.

1972-01-01

Plans for conducting Phase C/D for a solid rocket motor booster vehicle are presented. Methods for conducting this program with details of scheduling, testing, and program management and control are included. The requirements of the space shuttle program to deliver a minimum cost/maximum reliability booster vehicle are examined.

Space Shuttle Project

NASA Image and Video Library

1977-11-18

This photograph shows Solid Rocket Booster segments undergoing stacking operations in Marshall Space Flight Center's Building 4707. The Solid Rocket Boosters were designed in-house at the Marshall Center with the Thiokol Corporation as the prime contractor.

Performance evaluation of Space Shuttle SRB parachutes from air drop and scaled model wind tunnel tests. [Solid Rocket Booster recovery system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moog, R. D.; Bacchus, D. L.; Utreja, L. R.

1979-01-01

The aerodynamic performance characteristics have been determined for the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster drogue, main, and pilot parachutes. The performance evaluation on the 20-degree conical ribbon parachutes is based primarily on air drop tests of full scale prototype parachutes. In addition, parametric wind tunnel tests were performed and used in parachute configuration development and preliminary performance assessments. The wind tunnel test data are compared to the drop test results and both sets of data are used to determine the predicted performance of the Solid Rocket Booster flight parachutes. Data from other drop tests of large ribbon parachutes are also compared with the Solid Rocket Booster parachute performance characteristics. Parameters assessed include full open terminal drag coefficients, reefed drag area, opening characteristics, clustering effects, and forebody interference.

Annual report to the NASA Administrator by the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel. Part 2: Space shuttle program. Section 2: Summary of information developed in the Panel's fact-finding activities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1975-01-01

The management areas and the individual elements of the shuttle system were investigated. The basic management or design approach including the most obvious limits or hazards that are significant to crew safety was reviewed. Shuttle program elements that were studied included the orbiter, the space shuttle main engine, the external tank project, solid rocket boosters, and the launch and landing elements.

STS-26 solid rocket booster post flight structural assessment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Herda, David A.; Finnegan, Charles J.

1988-01-01

A post flight assessment of the Space Shuttle's Solid Rocket Boosters was conducted at the John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida after the launch of STS-26. The two boosters were inspected for structural damage and the results of this inspection are presented. Overall, the boosters were in good condition. However, there was some minor damage attributed to splash down. Some of this damage is a recurring problem. Explanations of these problems are provided.

KSC-2011-1806

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-24

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A worker on Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, manipulates a crane to recover the left solid rocket booster from the Atlantic Ocean after space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-08pd0739

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-03-12

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, tows a solid rocket booster alongside, heading for Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Barely visible in the background at right is the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The booster is from space shuttle Endeavour, which launched the STS-123 mission on March 11. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about 6 by 9 nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters, which they tow back to port. After transfer to a position alongside the ship, the booster will be towed to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

Solid rocket motors for the Space Shuttle booster.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Odom, J. B.

1972-01-01

The evolution of the space shuttle booster system is reviewed from its initial concepts based on liquid-propellant reusable boosters to the final selection of recoverable, solid-fuel rocket motors. The rationale associated with each of the several major decisions in the evolution process is discussed. It is shown that the external tank orbiter configuration emerging from the latest studies takes maximum advantage of the solid rocket motor development experience and promises to be the optimum configuration for fulfilling the paramount shuttle program requirements of minimum total development risk within acceptable costs.

Solid rocket booster performance evaluation model. Volume 4: Program listing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1974-01-01

All subprograms or routines associated with the solid rocket booster performance evaluation model are indexed in this computer listing. An alphanumeric list of each routine in the index is provided in a table of contents.

KSC-08pd3731

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-11-19

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA's Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ship Freedom Star arrives at the dock at Hangar AF, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, with a spent solid rocket booster alongside. The booster is from space shuttle Endeavour's launch Nov. 14 on mission STS-126. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about six by nine nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and, after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Hybrid propulsion technology program: Phase 1. Volume 3: Thiokol Corporation Space Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schuler, A. L.; Wiley, D. R.

1989-01-01

Three candidate hybrid propulsion (HP) concepts were identified, optimized, evaluated, and refined through an iterative process that continually forced improvement to the systems with respect to safety, reliability, cost, and performance criteria. A full scale booster meeting Advanced Solid Rocket Motor (ASRM) thrust-time constraints and a booster application for 1/4 ASRM thrust were evaluated. Trade studies and analyses were performed for each of the motor elements related to SRM technology. Based on trade study results, the optimum HP concept for both full and quarter sized systems was defined. The three candidate hybrid concepts evaluated are illustrated.

Modal Survey of ETM-3, A 5-Segment Derivative of the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nielsen, D.; Townsend, J.; Kappus, K.; Driskill, T.; Torres, I.; Parks, R.

2005-01-01

The complex interactions between internal motor generated pressure oscillations and motor structural vibration modes associated with the static test configuration of a Reusable Solid Rocket Motor have potential to generate significant dynamic thrust loads in the 5-segment configuration (Engineering Test Motor 3). Finite element model load predictions for worst-case conditions were generated based on extrapolation of a previously correlated 4-segment motor model. A modal survey was performed on the largest rocket motor to date, Engineering Test Motor #3 (ETM-3), to provide data for finite element model correlation and validation of model generated design loads. The modal survey preparation included pretest analyses to determine an efficient analysis set selection using the Effective Independence Method and test simulations to assure critical test stand component loads did not exceed design limits. Historical Reusable Solid Rocket Motor modal testing, ETM-3 test analysis model development and pre-test loads analyses, as well as test execution, and a comparison of results to pre-test predictions are discussed.

The liquid rocket booster as an element of the U.S. national space transportation system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bialla, Paul H.; Simon, Michael C.

Liquid rocket boosters (LRBs) were first considered for the U.S. Space Transportation System (STS) during the early conceptual phases of the Space Shuttle program. However, solid rocket boosters (SRBs) were ultimately selected for the STS, primarily due to near-term economics. Liquid rocket boosters are once again being considered as a possible future upgrade to the Shuttle. This paper addresses the findings of these studies to date, with emphasis on the feasibility, benefits, and implementation strategy for a LRB program. The principal issue relating to LRB feasibility is their ability to be integrated into the STS with minimal vehicle and facility impacts. Booster size has been shown to have a significant influence on compatibility with the STS. The physical dimensions of the Orbiter and STS support facilities place an inherent limitation on the size of any booster to be used with this system. In addition, excessively large diameter boosters can cause increased airloads to be induced on the Orbiter wings, requiring modification of STS launch trajectory and possible performance losses. However, trajectory and performance analyses have indicated that LRBs can be designed within these sizing constraints and still have sufficient performance to meet Space Shuttle mission requirements. In fact, several configurations have been developed to meet a design goal of providing a 20,000 lb performance improvement to low Earth-orbit (LEO), as compared with current SRBs. Several major system trade studies have been performed to establish a baseline design which is most compatible with the existing Space Transportation System. These trades include propellant selection (storable, hydrogen-oxygen, hydrocarbon-oxygen, and advanced propellants); pump-fed vs pressure-fed propellant feed system design; engine selection (Space Shuttle Main Engine, Titan LR-87, and advanced new engines); number of engines per booster; and reusability vs expendability. In general, it was determined through these trade studies that several options exist for designing a LRB that can be integrated into the STS with manageable impacts on STS facilities and operational procedures. While LRBs offer a potential 40% improvement in Shuttle performance, their most significant benefit is the potential improvements they offer in the area of Shuttle safety. This begins during ground handling operations, where LRBs eliminate the need for large quantities of hazardous solid propellants to be emplaced in the Kennedy Space Center Vehicle Assembly Building. In the pre-launch phase, all LRB engines can be ignited on the launch pad and verified prior to release of the STS. During flight, LRB engines can be shut down on command should the need arise. Further, missions could be aborted safely during the boost phase—an option not available with SRBs. A related benefit of LRBs is their ability to accomplish a mission even if one engine fails, assuming the LRB is designed with sufficient performance margin. An implementation plan has been developed which indicates that LRBs can be operational by 1997. The attractive features of the LRB have prompted NASA to include this booster as a principal element of the agency's long range plan for enhancing STS capabilities through an evolutionary program of block changes. The implementation of LRBs offers an attractive option for developing a safer, more reliable, and better performing STS.

Density and mixture fraction measurements in a GO2/GH2 uni-element rocket chamber

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moser, M. D.; Pal, S.; Santoro, R. J.

1994-01-01

In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in gas/gas injectors for rocket combustion. Specifically, the proposed new concept of full-flow oxygen rich preburner systems calls for the injection of both oxygen and hydrogen into the main chamber as gaseous propellants. The technology base for gas/gas injection must mature before actual booster class systems can be designed and fabricated. Since the data base for gas/gas injection is limited to studies focusing on the global parameters of small reaction engines, there is a critical need for experiment programs that emphasize studying the mixing and combustion characteristics of GO2 and GH2 propellants from a uni-element injector point of view. The experimental study of the combusting GO2/GH2 propellant combination in a uni-element rocket chamber also provides a simplified environment, in terms of both geometry and chemistry, that can be used to verify and validate computational fluid dynamic (CFD) models.

Shuttle Upgrade Using 5-Segment Booster (FSB)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sauvageau, Donald R.; Huppi, Hal D.; McCool, A. A. (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

In support of NASA's continuing effort to improve the over-all safety and reliability of the Shuttle system- a 5-segment booster (FSB) has been identified as an approach to satisfy that overall objective. To assess the feasibility of a 5-segment booster approach, NASA issued a feasibility study contract to evaluate the potential of a 5-segment booster to improve the overall capability of the Shuttle system, especially evaluating the potential to increase the system reliability and safety. In order to effectively evaluate the feasibility of the 5-segment concept, a four-member contractor team was established under the direction of NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). MSFC provided the overall program oversight and integration as well as program contractual management. The contractor team consisted of Thiokol, Boeing North American Huntington Beach (BNA), Lockheed Martin Michoud Space Systems (LMMSS) and United Space Alliance (USA) and their subcontractor bd Systems (Control Dynamics Division, Huntsville, AL). United Space Alliance included the former members of United Space Booster Incorporated (USBI) who managed the booster element portion of the current Shuttle solid rocket boosters. Thiokol was responsible for the overall integration and coordination of the contractor team across all of the booster elements. They were also responsible for all of the motor modification evaluations. Boeing North American (BNA) was responsible for all systems integration analyses, generation of loads and environments. and performance and abort mode capabilities. Lockheed Martin Michoud Space Systems (LMMSS) was responsible for evaluating the impacts of any changes to the booster on the external tank (ET), and evaluating any design changes on the external tank necessary to accommodate the FSB. USA. including the former USBI contingent. was responsible for evaluating any modifications to facilities at the launch site as well as any booster component design modifications.

Feasibility study using large ribbon parachutes, retrorockets, and hydrodynamic attenuation to recover liquid rocket boosters for the Space Shuttle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pepper, William B.; Wailes, William K.

1989-01-01

A new three-phase approach to recovery of the large liquid rocket boosters being studied for the Space Shuttle is proposed. The concept consists of a cluster of larger ribbon parachutes, retrorockets, and spar mode flotation. The two inert liquid rocket boosters weighing 115,000 lb to 183,000 lb descend from high altitude in a side-on coning attitude to 16,000 ft altitude where a cluster of large ribbon parachutes are deployed. The terminal velocity near water landing is 80 ft/sec. Retrorockets are used to decrease the velocity to about 40 ft/sec. The third phase is opening of the front end of the cylindrical rocket case to allow flooding to cushion impact and allow vertical flotation in the spar mode keeping the four expensive liquid rocket engines dry.

Liquid rocket booster study addendum

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

Liquid rocket booster study (LRB) addendum to final report is presented in the form of the view-graphs. The following subject areas are covered: LRB launch vehicle concepts; LRB design; propulsion system configurations; LRB boattail for Shuttle-C application; and manned transportation systems.

Solid Rocket Boosters Separation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1982-01-01

This view, taken by a motion picture tracking camera for the STS-3 mission, shows both left and right solid rocket boosters (SRB's) at the moment of separation from the external tank (ET). After impact to the ocean, they were retrieved and refurbished for reuse. The Shuttle's SRB's and solid rocket motors (SRM's) are the largest ever built and the first designed for refurbishment and reuse. Standing nearly 150-feet high, the twin boosters provide the majority of thrust for the first two minutes of flight, about 5.8 million pounds. That is equivalent to 44 million horsepower, or the combined power of 400,000 subcompact cars.

Development and evaluation of an ablative closeout material for solid rocket booster thermal protection system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Patterson, W. J.

1979-01-01

A trowellable closeout/repair material designated as MTA-2 was developed and evaluated for use on the Solid Rocket Booster. This material is composed of an epoxy-polysulfide binder and is highly filled with phenolic microballoons for density control and ablative performance. Mechanical property testing and thermal testing were performed in a wind tunnel to simulate the combined Solid Rocket Booster trajectory aeroshear and heating environments. The material is characterized by excellent thermal performance and was used extensively on the Space Shuttle STS-1 and STS-2 flight hardware.

Study of solid rocket motors for a space shuttle booster. Appendix E: Environmental impact statement, solid rocket motor, space shuttle booster

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

An analysis of the combustion products resulting from the solid propellant rocket engines of the space shuttle booster is presented. Calculation of the degree of pollution indicates that the only potentially harmful pollutants, carbon monoxide and hydrochloric acid, will be too diluted to constitute a hazard. The mass of products ejected during a launch within the troposphere is insignificant in terms of similar materials that enter the atmosphere from other sources. Noise pollution will not exceed that obtained from the Saturn 5 launch vehicle.

Technical report analysis and design: Study of solid rocket motors for a space shuttle booster, volume 2, book 1, supplement 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

An analysis and design effort was conducted as part of the study of solid rocket motor for a space shuttle booster. The 156-inch-diameter, parallel burn solid rocket motor was selected as its baseline because it is transportable and is the most cost-effective, reliable system that has been developed and demonstrated. The basic approach was to concentrate on the selected baseline design, and to draw from the baseline sufficient data to describe the alternate approaches also studied. The following conclusions were reached with respect to technical feasibility of the use of solid rocket booster motors for the space shuttle vehicle: (1) The 156-inch, parallel-burn baseline SRM design meets NASA's study requirements while incorporating conservative safety factors. (2) The solid rocket motor booster represents a cost-effective approach. (3) Baseline costs are conservative and are based on a demonstrated design. (4) Recovery and reuse are feasible and offer substantial cost savings. (5) Abort can be accomplished successfully. (6) Ecological effects are acceptable.

Launch Architecture Impact on Ascent Abort and Crew Survival

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mathias, Donovan L.; Lawrence, Scott L.

2006-01-01

A study was performed to assess the effect of booster configuration on the ascent abort process. A generic abort event sequence was created and booster related risk drivers were identified. Three model boosters were considered in light of the risk drivers: a solid rocket motor configuration, a side mount combination solid and liquid configuration, and a stacked liquid configuration. The primary risk drivers included explosive fireball, overpressure, and fragment effects and booster-crew module re-contact. Risk drivers that were not specifically booster dependent were not addressed. The solid rocket configuration had the most benign influence on an abort while the side mount architecture provided the most challenging abort environment.

Study of solid rocket motors for a space shuttle booster. Volume 1: Executive summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vonderesch, A. H.

1972-01-01

The factors affecting the choice of the 156 inch diameter, parallel burn, solid propellant rocket engine for use with the space shuttle booster are presented. Primary considerations leading to the selection are: (1) low booster vehicle cost, (2) the largest proven transportable system, (3) a demonstrated design, (4) recovery/reuse is feasible, (5) abort can be easily accomplished, and (6) ecological effects are minor.

Study of solid rocket motors for a space shuttle booster. Volume 1: Executive summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

The design, development, production, and launch support analysis for determining the solid propellant rocket engine to be used with the space shuttle are discussed. Specific program objectives considered were: (1) definition of engine designs to satisfy the performance and configuration requirements of the various vehicle/booster concepts, (2) definition of requirements to produce booster stages at rates of 60, 40, 20, and 10 launches per year in a man-rated system, and (3) estimation of costs for the defined SRM booster stages.

Inviscid and Viscous CFD Analysis of Booster Separation for the Space Launch System Vehicle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dalle, Derek J.; Rogers, Stuart E.; Chan, William M.; Lee, Henry C.

2016-01-01

This paper presents details of Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) simulations of the Space Launch System during solid-rocket booster separation using the Cart3D inviscid and Overflow viscous CFD codes. The discussion addresses the use of multiple data sources of computational aerodynamics, experimental aerodynamics, and trajectory simulations for this critical phase of flight. Comparisons are shown between Cart3D simulations and a wind tunnel test performed at NASA Langley Research Center's Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel, and further comparisons are shown between Cart3D and viscous Overflow solutions for the flight vehicle. The Space Launch System (SLS) is a new exploration-class launch vehicle currently in development that includes two Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) modified from Space Shuttle hardware. These SRBs must separate from the SLS core during a phase of flight where aerodynamic loads are nontrivial. The main challenges for creating a separation aerodynamic database are the large number of independent variables (including orientation of the core, relative position and orientation of the boosters, and rocket thrust levels) and the complex flow caused by exhaust plumes of the booster separation motors (BSMs), which are small rockets designed to push the boosters away from the core by firing partially in the direction opposite to the motion of the vehicle.

General view of the Aft Skirt Assembly and the Aft ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

General view of the Aft Skirt Assembly and the Aft Solid Rocket Motor Segment mated together in the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center and being prepared for mounting onto the Mobile Launch Platform and mating with the other Solid Rocket Booster segments. - Space Transportation System, Solid Rocket Boosters, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Harris County, TX

The X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus booster rocket mounted to NASA's NB

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

The first of three X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus booster rocket recently underwent combined systems testing while mounted to NASA's NB-52B carrier aircraft at the Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. The combined systems test was one of the last major milestones in the Hyper-X research program before the first X-43A flight. One of the major goals of the Hyper-X program is flight validation of airframe-integrated, air-breathing propulsion system, which so far have only been tested in ground facilities, such as wind tunnels. The X-43A flights will be the first actual flight tests of an aircraft powered by a revolutionary supersonic-combustion ramjet ('scramjet') engine capable of operating at hypersonic speeds above Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound). The X-43A design uses the underbody of the aircraft to form critical elements of the engine. The forebody shape helps compress the intake airflow, while the aft section acts as a nozzle to direct thrust. The 12-foot, unpiloted research vehicle was developed and built by MicroCraft Inc., Tullahoma, Tenn., under NASA contract. The booster, built by Orbital Sciences Corp., Dulles, Va., will accelerate the X-43A after the X-43A/booster 'stack' is air-launched from NASA's venerable NB-52 mothership. The X-43A will separate from the rocket at a predetermined altitude and speed and fly a pre-programmed trajectory, conducting aerodynamic and propulsion experiments until it descends into the Pacific Ocean. Three research flights are planned, two at Mach 7 and one at Mach 10.

The X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus® booster rocket mounted to NASA's NB-52B carrier aircraft at the Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California

NASA Image and Video Library

2001-03-13

The first of three X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus® booster rocket recently underwent combined systems testing while mounted to NASA's NB-52B carrier aircraft at the Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. The combined systems test was one of the last major milestones in the Hyper-X research program before the first X-43A flight. One of the major goals of the Hyper-X program is flight validation of airframe-integrated, air-breathing propulsion system, which so far have only been tested in ground facilities, such as wind tunnels. The X-43A flights will be the first actual flight tests of an aircraft powered by a revolutionary supersonic-combustion ramjet ("scramjet") engine capable of operating at hypersonic speeds above Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound). The X-43A design uses the underbody of the aircraft to form critical elements of the engine. The forebody shape helps compress the intake airflow, while the aft section acts as a nozzle to direct thrust. The 12-foot, unpiloted research vehicle was developed and built by MicroCraft Inc., Tullahoma, Tenn., under NASA contract. The booster, built by Orbital Sciences Corp., Dulles, Va., will accelerate the X-43A after the X-43A/booster "stack" is air-launched from NASA's venerable NB-52 mothership. The X-43A will separate from the rocket at a predetermined altitude and speed and fly a pre-programmed trajectory, conducting aerodynamic and propulsion experiments until it descends into the Pacific Ocean. Three research flights are planned, two at Mach 7 and one at Mach 10.

KSC-08pd1859

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-07-01

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Assembly and Refurbishment Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, a crane is lowered over the aft skirt for the Ares 1-X rocket. The segment is being lifted into a machine shop work stand for drilling modifications. The modifications will prepare it for the installation of the auxiliary power unit controller, the reduced-rate gyro unit, the booster decelerator motors and the booster tumble motors. Ares I is an in-line, two-stage rocket that will transport the Orion crew exploration vehicle to low-Earth orbit. Ares I-X is a test rocket. The Ares I first stage will be a five-segment solid rocket booster based on the four-segment design used for the shuttle. Ares I’s fifth booster segment allows the launch vehicle to lift more weight and reach a higher altitude before the first stage separates from the upper stage, which ignites in midflight to propel the Orion spacecraft to Earth orbit. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

Liquid boosters for Shuttle?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Robertson, Donald F.

1989-12-01

The use of liquid rocket boosters (LRBs) for the Space Shuttle is proposed. The advantages LRBs provide are improved flight safety due to the use of four engines instead of two and less environmental pollution than solid rocket boosters because LRBs utilize clean-burning fuels. The LRBs also permit very high launch rates and increased safety in assembly and mating of the Shuttle. Concerns about LRBs such as costs, diameter, support capability, and water recovery are examined.

The development of H-II rocket solid rocket booster thrust vector control system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagai, Hirokazu; Fukushima, Yukio; Kazama, Hiroo; Asai, Tatsuro; Okaya, Shunichi; Watanabe, Yasushi; Muramatsu, Shoji

The development of the thrust-vector-control (TVC) system for the two solid rocket boosters (SRBs) of the H-II rocket, which was started in 1984 and completed in 1989, is described. Special attention is given to the system's design, the trade-off studies, and the evaluation of the SRB-TVC system performance, as well as to problems that occurred in the course of the system's development and to the countermeasures that were taken. Schematic diagrams are presented for the H-II rocket, the SRB, and the SRB-TVC system configurations.

TDRS-M Atlas V Booster and Centaur Stages Offload, Booster Trans

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-06-27

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket booster arrives at the Atlas Spaceflight Operations Center at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The rocket is scheduled to launch the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, TDRS-M. It will be the latest spacecraft destined for the agency's constellation of communications satellites that allows nearly continuous contact with orbiting spacecraft ranging from the International Space Station and Hubble Space Telescope to the array of scientific observatories. Liftoff atop the ULA Atlas V rocket is scheduled to take place from Cape Canaveral's Space Launch Complex 41 on Aug. 3, 2017 at 9:02 a.m. EDT.

TDRS-M Atlas V Booster and Centaur Stages Offload, Booster Trans

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-06-27

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket booster is transported to the Atlas Spaceflight Operations Center at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The rocket is scheduled to launch the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, TDRS-M. It will be the latest spacecraft destined for the agency's constellation of communications satellites that allows nearly continuous contact with orbiting spacecraft ranging from the International Space Station and Hubble Space Telescope to the array of scientific observatories. Liftoff atop the ULA Atlas V rocket is scheduled to take place from Cape Canaveral's Space Launch Complex 41 on Aug. 3, 2017 at 9:02 a.m. EDT.

TDRS-M Atlas V Booster and Centaur Stages Offload, Booster Trans

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-06-27

The United Launch Alliance (ULA) Mariner arrives at Port Canaveral in Florida carrying an Atlas V rocket booster bound for nearby Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The rocket is scheduled to launch the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, TDRS-M. It will be the latest spacecraft destined for the agency's constellation of communications satellites that allows nearly continuous contact with orbiting spacecraft ranging from the International Space Station and Hubble Space Telescope to the array of scientific observatories. Liftoff atop the ULA Atlas V rocket is scheduled to take place from Cape Canaveral's Space Launch Complex 41 on Aug. 3, 2017 at 9:02 a.m. EDT.

Output-Based Adaptive Meshing Applied to Space Launch System Booster Separation Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dalle, Derek J.; Rogers, Stuart E.

2015-01-01

This paper presents details of Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) simulations of the Space Launch System during solid-rocket booster separation using the Cart3D inviscid code with comparisons to Overflow viscous CFD results and a wind tunnel test performed at NASA Langley Research Center's Unitary PlanWind Tunnel. The Space Launch System (SLS) launch vehicle includes two solid-rocket boosters that burn out before the primary core stage and thus must be discarded during the ascent trajectory. The main challenges for creating an aerodynamic database for this separation event are the large number of basis variables (including orientation of the core, relative position and orientation of the boosters, and rocket thrust levels) and the complex flow caused by the booster separation motors. The solid-rocket boosters are modified from their form when used with the Space Shuttle Launch Vehicle, which has a rich flight history. However, the differences between the SLS core and the Space Shuttle External Tank result in the boosters separating with much narrower clearances, and so reducing aerodynamic uncertainty is necessary to clear the integrated system for flight. This paper discusses an approach that has been developed to analyze about 6000 wind tunnel simulations and 5000 flight vehicle simulations using Cart3D in adaptive-meshing mode. In addition, a discussion is presented of Overflow viscous CFD runs used for uncertainty quantification. Finally, the article presents lessons learned and improvements that will be implemented in future separation databases.

On the X-34 FASTRAC-Memorandums of Misunderstanding

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hawkins, Lakiesha V.; Turner, Jim E.

2015-01-01

Engineers at MSFC designed, developed, and tested propulsion systems that helped launch Saturn I, IB, and V boosters for the Apollo missions. After the Apollo program, Marshall was responsible for the design and development of the propulsion elements for the Shuttle launch vehicle, including the solid rocket boosters, external tank and main engines. Each of these systems offered new propulsion technological challenges that pushed engineers and administrators beyond Saturn. The technical challenges presented by the development of each of these propulsion systems helped to establish and sustain a culture of engineering conservatism and was often accompanied by a deep level of penetration into contractors that worked on these systems.

SRB-3D Solid Rocket Booster performance prediction program. Volume 3: Programmer's manual

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Winkler, J. C.

1976-01-01

The programmer's manual for the Modified Solid Rocket Booster Performance Prediction Program (SRB-3D) describes the major control routines of SRB-3D, followed by a super index listing of the program and a cross-reference of the program variables.

Space shuttle system program definition. Volume 4: Cost and schedule report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

The supporting cost and schedule data for the second half of the Space Shuttle System Phase B Extension Study is summarized. The major objective for this period was to address the cost/schedule differences affecting final selection of the HO orbiter space shuttle system. The contending options under study included the following booster launch configurations: (1) series burn ballistic recoverable booster (BRB), (2) parallel burn ballistic recoverable booster (BRB), (3) series burn solid rocket motors (SRM's), and (4) parallel burn solid rocket motors (SRM's). The implications of varying payload bay sizes for the orbiter, engine type for the ballistics recoverable booster, and SRM motors for the solid booster were examined.

Study of solid rocket motors for a space shuttle booster. Volume 4: Mass properties report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vonderesch, A. H.

1972-01-01

Mass properties data for the 156 inch diameter, parallel burn, solid propellant rocket engine for the space shuttle booster are presented. Design ground rules and assumptions applicable to generation of the mass properties data are described, together with pertinent data sources.

Solid rocket booster thermal radiation model. Volume 2: User's manual

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, A. L.

1976-01-01

A user's manual was prepared for the computer program of a solid rocket booster (SRB) thermal radiation model. The following information was included: (1) structure of the program, (2) input information required, (3) examples of input cards and output printout, (4) program characteristics, and (5) program listing.

Study of solid rocket motors for a space shuttle booster. Appendix B: Prime item development specification

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

The specifications for the performance, design, development, and test requirements of the P2-156, S3-156, and S6-120 space shuttle booster solid rocket motors are presented. The applicable documents which form a part of the specifications are listed.

Detail view of an Aft Skirt being prepared for mating ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

Detail view of an Aft Skirt being prepared for mating with sub assemblies in the Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) Assembly and Refurbishment Facility at Kennedy Space Center. This detail is showing the four Aft Booster Separation Motors. The Separation Motors burn for one second to ensure the SRBs drift away from the External Tank and Orbiter at separation. - Space Transportation System, Solid Rocket Boosters, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Harris County, TX

Pegasus Rocket Booster Being Prepared for X-43A/Hyper-X Flight Test

NASA Image and Video Library

1999-08-25

Technicians prepare a Pegasus rocket booster for flight tests with the X-43A "Hypersonic Experimental Vehicle," or "Hyper-X." The X-43A, which will be attached to the Pegasus booster and drop launched from NASA's B-52 mothership, was developed to research dual-mode ramjet/scramjet propulsion system at speeds from Mach 7 up to Mach 10 (7 to 10 times the speed of sound, which varies with temperature and altitude).

Dynamic characterization of solid rockets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1973-01-01

The structural dynamics of solid rockets in-general was studied. A review is given of the modes of vibration and bending that can exist for a solid propellant rocket, and a NASTRAN computer model is included. Also studied were the dynamic properties of a solid propellant, polybutadiene-acrylic acid-acrylonitrile terpolymer, which may be used in the space shuttle rocket booster. The theory of viscoelastic materials (i.e, Poisson's ratio) was employed in describing the dynamic properties of the propellant. These studies were performed for an eventual booster stage development program for the space shuttle.

General view of a Solid Rocket Motor Nozzle in the ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

General view of a Solid Rocket Motor Nozzle in the Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) Assembly and Refurbishment Facility at Kennedy Space Center, being prepared to be mated with the Aft Skirt. In this view you can see the attach brackets where the Thrust Vector Control System actuators connect to the nozzle which can swivel the nozzle up to 3.5 degrees to redirect the thrust to steer and maintain the Shuttle's programmed trajectory. - Space Transportation System, Solid Rocket Boosters, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Harris County, TX

Aft Skirt Electrical Umbilical (ASEU) and Vehicle Support Post (

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-12-09

A flatbed truck carries a vertical support post (VSP) for NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket to the Mobile Launcher Yard at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The two aft skirt electrical umbilicals (ASEUs) and the first of the vehicle support posts underwent a series of tests to confirm they are functioning properly and ready to support the SLS for launch. The ASEUs will connect to the SLS rocket at the bottom outer edge of each booster and provide electrical power and data connections to the rocket until it lifts off from the launch pad. The eight VSPs will support the load of the solid rocket boosters, with four posts for each of the boosters. The center’s Engineering Directorate and the Ground Systems Development and Operations Program are overseeing processing and testing of the umbilicals.

SRB Processing Facilities Media Event

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-03-01

Members of the news media view the high bay inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility (RPSF) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Kerry Chreist, with Jacobs Engineering on the Test and Operations Support Contract, talks with a reporter about the booster segments for NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. In the far corner, in the vertical position, is one of two pathfinders, or test versions, of solid rocket booster segments for the SLS rocket. The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program and Jacobs are preparing the booster segments, which are inert, for a series of lifts, moves and stacking operations to prepare for Exploration Mission-1, deep-space missions and the journey to Mars.

TDRS-M Atlas V Booster and Centaur Stages Offload, Booster Trans

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-06-27

At Port Canaveral in Florida, a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket booster is transported from the company's Mariner ship to the Atlas Spaceflight Operations Center at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The rocket is scheduled to launch the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, TDRS-M. It will be the latest spacecraft destined for the agency's constellation of communications satellites that allows nearly continuous contact with orbiting spacecraft ranging from the International Space Station and Hubble Space Telescope to the array of scientific observatories. Liftoff atop the ULA Atlas V rocket is scheduled to take place from Cape Canaveral's Space Launch Complex 41 on Aug. 3, 2017 at 9:02 a.m. EDT.

The effects of solid rocket motor effluents on selected surfaces and solid particle size, distribution, and composition for simulated shuttle booster separation motors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jex, D. W.; Linton, R. C.; Russell, W. M.; Trenkle, J. J.; Wilkes, D. R.

1976-01-01

A series of three tests was conducted using solid rocket propellants to determine the effects a solid rocket plume would have on thermal protective surfaces (TPS). The surfaces tested were those which are baselined for the shuttle vehicle. The propellants used were to simulate the separation solid rocket motors (SSRM) that separate the solid rocket boosters (SRB) from the shuttle launch vehicle. Data cover: (1) the optical effects of the plume environment on spacecraft related surfaces, and (2) the solid particle size, distribution, and composition at TPS sample locations.

he second X-43A and its modified Pegasus booster rocket accelerate after launch from NASA's B-52B launch aircraft over the Pacific Ocean

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-03-27

The second X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus booster rocket accelerate after launch from NASA's B-52B launch aircraft over the Pacific Ocean on March 27, 2004. The mission originated from the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Minutes later the X-43A separated from the Pegasus booster and accelerated to its intended speed of Mach 7.

UTC LIBERTY AND FREEDOM RETURN - SOLID ROCKET BOOSTER (SRB) - PORT CANAVERAL, FL

NASA Image and Video Library

1981-04-14

S81-31319 (14 April 1981) --- One of the STS-1 solid rocket boosters (SRB) is towed back to shore after landing in the Atlantic Ocean following the jettisoning of both of Columbia?s SRB en route to her Earth-orbital mission. The UTC Freedom and Liberty (pictured) were involved in the recovery of the reusable boosters. Astronauts John W. Young, commander, and Robert L. Crippen, pilot, are orbiting Earth for approximately two and a third days aboard Columbia. Photo credit: NASA

PHOTOGRAPHER: KSC The first solid rocket booster solid motor segemnts to arrive at KSC, the left and

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1980-01-01

PHOTOGRAPHER: KSC The first solid rocket booster solid motor segemnts to arrive at KSC, the left and right hand aft segments are off-loaded into High Bay 4 in the Vehicle Assembly Building and mated to their respective SRB aft skirts. The two aft assemblies will support the entire 150 foot tall solid boosters, in turn supporting the external tank and Orbiter Columbia on the Mobile Launcher Platform, for the first orbital flight test of the Space Shuttle.

Photographer: KSC The first solid rocket booster solid motor segemnts to arrive at KSC, the left and

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1980-01-01

Photographer: KSC The first solid rocket booster solid motor segemnts to arrive at KSC, the left and right hand aft segments are off-loaded into High Bay 4 in the Vehicle Assembly Building and mated to their respective SRB aft skirts. The two aft assemblies will support the entire 150 foot tall solid boosters, in turn supporting the external tank and Orbiter Columbia on the Mobile Launcher Platform, for the first orbital flight test of the Space Shuttle.

KSC-2011-1886

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-28

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ship Freedom Star tows a booster to the dock at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-2011-1859

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-24

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The right spent booster from shuttle Discovery's final launch is seen bobbing in the Atlantic Ocean. Crew members from Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, will recover the parachute and tow the booster back to Port Canaveral in Florida. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

Space Shuttle Projects

NASA Image and Video Library

1977-12-01

The solid rocket booster (SRB) structural test article is being installed in the Solid Rocket Booster Test Facility for the structural and load verification test at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). The Shuttle's two SRB's are the largest solids ever built and the first designed for refurbishment and reuse. Standing nearly 150-feet high, the twin boosters provide the majority of thrust for the first two minutes of flight, about 5.8 million pounds, augmenting the Shuttle's main propulsion system during liftoff. The major design drivers for the solid rocket motors (SRM's) were high thrust and reuse. The desired thrust was achieved by using state-of-the-art solid propellant and by using a long cylindrical motor with a specific core design that allows the propellant to burn in a carefully controlled marner. At burnout, the boosters separate from the external tank and drop by parachute to the ocean for recovery and subsequent refurbishment.

Solid Rocket Booster Structural Test Article

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1978-01-01

The structural test article to be used in the solid rocket booster (SRB) structural and load verification tests is being assembled in a high bay building of the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). The Shuttle's two SRB's are the largest solids ever built and the first designed for refurbishment and reuse. Standing nearly 150-feet high, the twin boosters provide the majority of thrust for the first two minutes of flight, about 5.8 million pounds, augmenting the Shuttle's main propulsion system during liftoff. The major design drivers for the solid rocket motors (SRM's) were high thrust and reuse. The desired thrust was achieved by using state-of-the-art solid propellant and by using a long cylindrical motor with a specific core design that allows the propellant to burn in a carefully controlled marner. At burnout, the boosters separate from the external tank and drop by parachute to the ocean for recovery and subsequent refurbishment.

TDRS-M Atlas V Booster and Centaur Stages Arrival, Offload, and Transport (Booster) to ASOC

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-06-26

The United Launch Alliance (ULA) Mariner arrives at Port Canaveral in Florida carrying an Atlas V rocket booster and centaur upper stage bounded for Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The centaur upper stage is transported from the company's Mariner ship to the Delta Operations Center. The booster stage is transported to the Atlas Spaceflight Operations Center. The rocket is scheduled to launch the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, TDRS-M. It will be the latest spacecraft destined for the agency's constellation of communications satellites that allows nearly continuous contact with orbiting spacecraft ranging from the International Space Station and Hubble Space Telescope to the array of scientific observatories. Liftoff atop the ULA Atlas V rocket is scheduled to take place from Cape Canaveral's Space Launch Complex 41 on Aug. 3, 2017 at 9:02 a.m. EDT.

Study of solid rocket motors for a space shuttle booster. Volume 2, book 3: Cost estimating data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vanderesch, A. H.

1972-01-01

Cost estimating data for the 156 inch diameter, parallel burn solid rocket propellant engine selected for the space shuttle booster are presented. The costing aspects on the baseline motor are initially considered. From the baseline, sufficient data is obtained to provide cost estimates of alternate approaches.

KSC-2009-6026

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-10-30

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The solid rocket booster recovery ship Freedom Star, towing the spent first stage of NASA's Ares I-X rocket through the Banana River, delivers the booster to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Following the launch of the Ares I-X flight test, the booster splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean and was recovered. Liftoff of the 6-minute flight test was at 11:30 a.m. EDT Oct. 28. This was the first launch from Kennedy's pads of a vehicle other than the space shuttle since the Apollo Program's Saturn rockets were retired. The parts used to make the Ares I-X booster flew on 30 different shuttle missions ranging from STS-29 in 1989 to STS-106 in 2000. The data returned from more than 700 sensors throughout the rocket will be used to refine the design of future launch vehicles and bring NASA one step closer to reaching its exploration goals. For information on the Ares I-X vehicle and flight test, visit http://www.nasa.gov/aresIX. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-08pd0863

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-03-27

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --- On Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, a worker attaches the crane to a solid rocket booster. The crane will raise the booster to a vertical position. When it has been raised, the booster will be lifted into the mobile service tower for mating with the Delta II rocket that will launch NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft. A series of nine strap-on solid rocket motors will help power the first stage. Because the Delta rocket is configured as a Delta II 7920 Heavy, the boosters are larger than those used on the standard configuration. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. Launch is currently planned for May 16 from Pad 17-B. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-08pd0865

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-03-27

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --- On Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the solid rocket booster is raised from its transporter toward a vertical position. When it has been raised, the booster will be lifted into the mobile service tower for mating with the Delta II rocket that will launch NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft. Two other boosters are already in place. A series of nine strap-on solid rocket motors will help power the first stage. Because the Delta rocket is configured as a Delta II 7920 Heavy, the boosters are larger than those used on the standard configuration. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. Launch is currently planned for May 16 from Pad 17-B. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-08pd0864

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-03-27

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --- On Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the solid rocket booster is raised from its transporter toward a vertical position. When it has been raised, the booster will be lifted into the mobile service tower for mating with the Delta II rocket that will launch NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft. Two other boosters are already in place. A series of nine strap-on solid rocket motors will help power the first stage. Because the Delta rocket is configured as a Delta II 7920 Heavy, the boosters are larger than those used on the standard configuration. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. Launch is currently planned for May 16 from Pad 17-B. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

Control techniques to improve Space Shuttle solid rocket booster separation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tomlin, D. D.

1983-01-01

The present Space Shuttle's control system does not prevent the Orbiter's main engines from being in gimbal positions that are adverse to solid rocket booster separation. By eliminating the attitude error and attitude rate feedback just prior to solid rocket booster separation, the detrimental effects of the Orbiter's main engines can be reduced. In addition, if angular acceleration feedback is applied, the gimbal torques produced by the Orbiter's engines can reduce the detrimental effects of the aerodynamic torques. This paper develops these control techniques and compares the separation capability of the developed control systems. Currently with the worst case initial conditions and each Shuttle system dispersion aligned in the worst direction (which is more conservative than will be experienced in flight), the solid rocket booster has an interference with the Shuttle's external tank of 30 in. Elimination of the attitude error and attitude rate feedback reduces that interference to 19 in. Substitution of angular acceleration feedback reduces the interference to 6 in. The two latter interferences can be eliminated by atess conservative analysis techniques, that is, by using a root sum square of the system dispersions.

KSC-2011-1878

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-27

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, tows the right spent booster from space shuttle Discovery's final launch, to Port Canaveral in Florida. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

KSC-2011-1848

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-27

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, tows the left spent booster from space shuttle Discovery's final launch, to Port Canaveral in Florida. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1873

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-26

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members on board Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, haul in the massive parachute from the right spent booster from space shuttle Discovery's final launch. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

KSC-2011-1879

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-27

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, tows the right spent booster from space shuttle Discovery's final launch, to Port Canaveral in Florida. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

KSC-2011-1832

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-25

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members from Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, are pulling the parachute from the left spent booster out of the Atlantic Ocean. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1874

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-26

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members on board Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, haul in the massive parachute from the right spent booster from space shuttle Discovery's final launch. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

KSC-2011-1877

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-27

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, tows the right spent booster from space shuttle Discovery's final launch, to Port Canaveral in Florida. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

KSC-2011-1815

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-25

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members from Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, recover the left spent booster nose cap from the Atlantic Ocean after space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1849

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-27

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, reaches Port Canaveral, Florida with the left spent booster from space shuttle Discovery's final launch, in tow. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1831

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-25

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members from Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, have attached a line, held up by flotation devices, between the left spent booster parachute and the ship. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

Quality assurance and control in the production and static tests of the solid rocket boosters for the Space Shuttle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cerny, O. F.

1979-01-01

The paper surveys the various aspects of design and overhaul of the solid rocket boosters. It is noted that quality control is an integral part of the design specifications. Attention is given to the production process which is optimized towards highest quality. Also discussed is the role of the DCA (Defense Contract Administration) in inspecting the products of subcontractors, noting that the USAF performs this role for prime contractors. Fabrication and construction of the booster is detailed with attention given to the lining of the booster cylinder and the mixing of the propellant and the subsequent X-ray inspection.

Aft Skirt Electrical Umbilical (ASEU) and Vehicle Support Post (

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-12-09

A construction worker is in view as a flatbed truck passes by carrying a vertical support post (VSP) for NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket to the Mobile Launcher Yard at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The two aft skirt electrical umbilicals (ASEUs) and the first of the vehicle support posts underwent a series of tests to confirm they are functioning properly and ready to support the SLS for launch. The ASEUs will connect to the SLS rocket at the bottom outer edge of each booster and provide electrical power and data connections to the rocket until it lifts off from the launch pad. The eight VSPs will support the load of the solid rocket boosters, with four posts for each of the boosters. The center’s Engineering Directorate and the Ground Systems Development and Operations Program are overseeing processing and testing of the umbilicals.

Aft Skirt Electrical Umbilical (ASEU) and Vehicle Support Post (

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-12-09

A flatbed truck carries a vertical support post (VSP) for NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket to the Mobile Launcher Yard at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In view is the mobile launcher. The two aft skirt electrical umbilicals (ASEUs) and the first of the vehicle support posts underwent a series of tests to confirm they are functioning properly and ready to support the SLS for launch. The ASEUs will connect to the SLS rocket at the bottom outer edge of each booster and provide electrical power and data connections to the rocket until it lifts off from the launch pad. The eight VSPs will support the load of the solid rocket boosters, with four posts for each of the boosters. The center’s Engineering Directorate and the Ground Systems Development and Operations Program are overseeing processing and testing of the umbilicals.

Aft Skirt Electrical Umbilical (ASEU) and Vehicle Support Post (

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-12-09

A view from underneath one of the vertical support posts for NASA's Space Launch System rocket. Two after skirt electrical umbilicals (ASEUs) and the first of the vertical support post were transported by flatbed truck from the Launch Equipment Test Facility to the Mobile Launcher Yard as NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The ASEUs and the VSP underwent a series of tests to confirm they are functioning properly and ready to support the SLS for launch. The ASEUs will connect to the SLS rocket at the bottom outer edge of each booster and provide electrical power and data connections to the rocket until it lifts off from the launch pad. The eight VSPs will support the load of the solid rocket boosters, with four posts for each of the boosters. The center’s Engineering Directorate and the Ground Systems Development and Operations Program are overseeing processing and testing of the umbilicals.

Modular Approach to Launch Vehicle Design Based on a Common Core Element

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Creech, Dennis M.; Threet, Grady E., Jr.; Philips, Alan D.; Waters, Eric D.; Baysinger, Mike

2010-01-01

With a heavy lift launch vehicle as the centerpiece of our nation's next exploration architecture's infrastructure, the Advanced Concepts Office at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center initiated a study to examine the utilization of elements derived from a heavy lift launch vehicle for other potential launch vehicle applications. The premise of this study is to take a vehicle concept, which has been optimized for Lunar Exploration, and utilize the core stage with other existing or near existing stages and boosters to determine lift capabilities for alternative missions. This approach not only yields a vehicle matrix with a wide array of capabilities, but also produces an evolutionary pathway to a vehicle family based on a minimum development and production cost approach to a launch vehicle system architecture, instead of a purely performance driven approach. The upper stages and solid rocket booster selected for this study were chosen to reflect a cross-section of: modified existing assets in the form of a modified Delta IV upper stage and Castor-type boosters; potential near term launch vehicle component designs including an Ares I upper stage and 5-segment boosters; and longer lead vehicle components such as a Shuttle External Tank diameter upper stage. The results of this approach to a modular launch system are given in this paper.

X-ray fluorescence surface contaminant analyzer: A feasibility study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eldridge, Hudson B.

1988-01-01

The bonding of liner material to the inner metal surfaces of solid rocket booster cases is adversely affected by minute amounts of impurities on the metal surface. Suitable non-destructive methods currently used for detecting these surface contaminants do not provide the means of identifying their elemental composition. The feasibility of using isotopic source excited energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence as a possible technique for elemental analysis of such contaminants is investigated. A survey is made of the elemental compositions of both D-6ac steel, a common construction material for the booster cases, and Conoco HD-2 grease, a common surface contamination. Source and detector choices that maximize signal to noise ratio in a Recessed Source Geometry are made. A Monte Carlo simulation is then made of the optimized device incorporating the latest available X-ray constants at the energy of the chosen source to determine the device's response to a D-6ac steel surface contained with Conoco HD-2 grease.

Mercury Capsule Separation Tests

NASA Image and Video Library

1960-04-01

Mercury capsule separation from Redstone booster in the Altitude Wind Tunnel (AWT): NASA Lewis conducted full-scale separation tests of the posigrade rockets that were fired after the Redstone rockets burned out. The researchers studied the effect of the posigrade rockets firing on the Redstone booster and retrograde package. This film shows the Mercury capsule being mounted to the Redstone missile model in the Altitude Wind Tunnel. The capsule's engines are fired and it horizontally separates from the Atlas. After firing the capsule swings from an overhead crane.

Solid rocket booster performance evaluation model. Volume 2: Users manual

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1974-01-01

This users manual for the solid rocket booster performance evaluation model (SRB-II) contains descriptions of the model, the program options, the required program inputs, the program output format and the program error messages. SRB-II is written in FORTRAN and is operational on both the IBM 370/155 and the MSFC UNIVAC 1108 computers.

KSC00pp1913

NASA Image and Video Library

2000-12-14

A KSC solid rocket booster worker inspects the reusable cables and connectors located inside the external tank attachment ring on the STS-98 left-hand solid rocket booster. Inspection and X-ray analysis of the ordnance-related cable connectors is required as part of an evaluation of their flight readiness before Space Shuttle Atlantis can rollout to Launch Pad 39A

KSC-00pp1913

NASA Image and Video Library

2000-12-14

A KSC solid rocket booster worker inspects the reusable cables and connectors located inside the external tank attachment ring on the STS-98 left-hand solid rocket booster. Inspection and X-ray analysis of the ordnance-related cable connectors is required as part of an evaluation of their flight readiness before Space Shuttle Atlantis can rollout to Launch Pad 39A

Study of solid rocket motor for space shuttle booster, Volume 3: Program acquisition planning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

The program planning acquisition functions for the development of the solid propellant rocket engine for the space shuttle booster is presented. The subjects discussed are: (1) program management, (2) contracts administration, (3) systems engineering, (4) configuration management, and (5) maintenance engineering. The plans for manufacturing, testing, and operations support are included.

Vibration, acoustic, and shock design and test criteria for components on the Solid Rocket Boosters (SRB), Lightweight External Tank (LWT), and Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSME)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1984-01-01

The vibration, acoustics, and shock design and test criteria for components and subassemblies on the space shuttle solid rocket booster (SRB), lightweight tank (LWT), and main engines (SSME) are presented. Specifications for transportation, handling, and acceptance testing are also provided.

SRB Processing Facilities Media Event

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-03-01

Members of the news media view the high bay inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility (RPSF) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Kerry Chreist, with Jacobs Engineering on the Test and Operations Support Contract, explains the various test stands and how they will be used to prepare booster segments for NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. In the far corner, in the vertical position, is one of two pathfinders, or test versions, of solid rocket booster segments for the SLS rocket. The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program and Jacobs are preparing the booster segments, which are inert, for a series of lifts, moves and stacking operations to prepare for Exploration Mission-1, deep-space missions and the journey to Mars.

KSC-2011-1894

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-28

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- One of the solid rocket boosters used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch is unloaded onto a hoisting slip at the Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly Facility at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Following the launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24, the shuttle's two boosters fell into the Atlantic Ocean. There, the booster casings and associated flight hardware were recovered by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-2011-1891

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-28

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- One of the solid rocket boosters used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch is unloaded onto a hoisting slip at the Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly Facility at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Following the launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24, the shuttle's two boosters fell into the Atlantic Ocean. There, the booster casings and associated flight hardware were recovered by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-2011-1845

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-26

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The left spent booster from space shuttle Discovery's final launch is seen floating on the water's surface while pumps on Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, push debris and water out of the booster, replacing with air to facilitate floating for its return to Port Canaveral in Florida. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1898

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-28

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly Facility at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, one of the solid rocket boosters used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch is moved to a tracked dolly for processing. Following the launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24, the shuttle's two boosters fell into the Atlantic Ocean. There, the booster casings and associated flight hardware were recovered by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-2011-1882

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-28

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ship Freedom Star, with a booster in tow, passes through Port Canaveral on its journey to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-2011-1892

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-28

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- One of the solid rocket boosters used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch is unloaded onto a hoisting slip at the Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly Facility at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Following the launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24, the shuttle's two boosters fell into the Atlantic Ocean. There, the booster casings and associated flight hardware were recovered by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-2011-1836

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-26

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, and its crew are preparing to recover the left spent booster from the Atlantic Ocean. The round objects on deck are large pumping machines that will be attached to the booster by a hose that will blow out debris and water and then pump in air so the booster can float horizontally on the water's surface for towing back to Port Canaveral in Florida. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

Closeup view of an Aft Skirt being prepared for mating ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

Close-up view of an Aft Skirt being prepared for mating with sub assemblies in the Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) Assembly and Refurbishment Facility at Kennedy Space Center. The most prominent feature in this view are the four Aft Booster Separation Motors on the left side of the skirt in this view. The Separation Motors burn for one second to ensure the SRBs drift away from the External Tank and Orbiter at separation. - Space Transportation System, Solid Rocket Boosters, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Harris County, TX

NASA's B-52 mother ship carries the X-43A and its booster rocket on a captive carry flight Jan. 26, 2004

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-01-26

NASA's historic B-52 mother ship carried the X-43A and its Pegasus booster rocket on a captive carry flight from Edwards Air Force Base Jan. 26, 2004. The X-43A and its booster remained mated to the B-52 throughout the two-hour flight, intended to check its readiness for launch. The hydrogen-fueled aircraft is autonomous and has a wingspan of approximately 5 feet, measures 12 feet long and weighs about 2,800 pounds.

Pegasus Rocket Booster Being Prepared for X-43A/Hyper-X Flight Test

NASA Image and Video Library

1999-08-25

A close-up view of the front end of a Pegasus rocket booster being prepared by technicians at the Dryden Flight Research Center for flight tests with the X-43A "Hypersonic Experimental Vehicle," or "Hyper-X." The X-43A, which will be attached to the Pegasus booster and drop launched from NASA's B-52 mothership, was developed to research dual-mode ramjet/scramjet propulsion system at speeds from Mach 7 up to Mach 10 (7 to 10 times the speed of sound, which varies with temperature and altitude).

Space Launch System Booster Passes Major Ground Test

NASA Image and Video Library

2015-03-11

The largest, most powerful rocket booster ever built successfully fired up Wednesday for a major-milestone ground test in preparation for future missions to help propel NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft to deep space destinations, including an asteroid and Mars. The booster fired for two minutes, the same amount of time it will fire when it lifts the SLS off the launch pad, and produced about 3.6 million pounds of thrust. The test was conducted at the Promontory, Utah test facility of commercial partner Orbital ATK.

Liquid Rocket Booster (LRB) for the Space Transportation System (STS) systems study, volume 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

The Liquid Rocket Booster (LRB) Systems Definition Handbook presents the analyses and design data developed during the study. The Systems Definition Handbook (SDH) contains three major parts: the LRB vehicles definition; the Pressure-Fed Booster Test Bed (PFBTB) study results; and the ALS/LRB study results. Included in this volume are the results of all trade studies; final configurations with supporting rationale and analyses; technology assessments; long lead requirements for facilities, materials, components, and subsystems; operational requirements and scenarios; and safety, reliability, and environmental analyses.

Orion EM-1 Booster Preps - Aft Skirt Preps/Painting

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-10-28

Technicians with Orbital ATK, prime contractor for the Space Launch System (SLS) Booster, prepare the right hand aft skirt for NASA’s SLS rocket for primer and painting inside a support building at the Hangar AF facility at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The space shuttle-era aft skirt, was inspected and resurfaced and will be primed and painted for use on the right hand booster of the SLS rocket for Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1). NASA is preparing for EM-1, deep-space missions, and the journey to Mars.

A study of two statistical methods as applied to shuttle solid rocket booster expenditures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Perlmutter, M.; Huang, Y.; Graves, M.

1974-01-01

The state probability technique and the Monte Carlo technique are applied to finding shuttle solid rocket booster expenditure statistics. For a given attrition rate per launch, the probable number of boosters needed for a given mission of 440 launches is calculated. Several cases are considered, including the elimination of the booster after a maximum of 20 consecutive launches. Also considered is the case where the booster is composed of replaceable components with independent attrition rates. A simple cost analysis is carried out to indicate the number of boosters to build initially, depending on booster costs. Two statistical methods were applied in the analysis: (1) state probability method which consists of defining an appropriate state space for the outcome of the random trials, and (2) model simulation method or the Monte Carlo technique. It was found that the model simulation method was easier to formulate while the state probability method required less computing time and was more accurate.

Liquid lift for the Shuttle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Demeis, Richard

1989-02-01

After the operational failure of a Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) led to the Space Shuttle Challenger accident, NASA reexamined the use of liquid-fueled units in place of the SRBs in order to ascertain whether they could improve safety and payload. In view of favorable study results obtained, the posibility has arisen of employing a common liquid rocket booster for the Space Shuttle, its cargo version ('Shuttle-C'), and the next-generation Advanced Launch System. The system envisioned would involve two booster units, whose four engines/unit would be fed by integral LOX and kerosene tanks. Mission aborts with one-booster unit and two-unit failures would not be catastrophic, and would respectively allow LEO or an emergency landing in Africa.

SRB Processing Facilities Media Event

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-03-01

Inside the Booster Fabrication Facility (BFF) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Jeff Cook, a thermal protection system specialist with Orbital ATK, displays a sample of the painted thermal protection system that is being applied to booster segments. Members of the news media toured the BFF. Orbital ATK is a contractor for NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama, and operates the BFF to prepare aft booster segments and hardware for the SLS rocket boosters. The SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft will launch on Exploration Mission-1 in 2018. The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is preparing the infrastructure to process and launch spacecraft for deep-space missions and the journey to Mars.

KSC-2011-1871

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-26

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members and divers in skiffs from Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, are prepared to retrieve the parachute lines from the right spent booster bobbing in the Atlantic Ocean from space shuttle Discovery's final launch. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

KSC-2011-1869

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-26

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members from Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, use skiffs to approach the right spent booster bobbing in the Atlantic Ocean after space shuttle Discovery's final launch. Divers are already in the water. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

KSC-2011-1817

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-25

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members from Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, use a crane to pull the left spent booster nose cap out of the Atlantic Ocean after space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1809

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-24

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Chief Mate Jamie Harris is steering Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships in the direction of the left spent booster that splashed down into the Atlantic Ocean after space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1822

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-25

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members from Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, use a skiff to approach the left spent booster bobbing in the Atlantic Ocean after space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1910

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-28

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The left spent booster used during space shuttle Discovery's final launch is guided into a hoisting slip at the Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly Facility at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-2011-1813

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-25

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A crew member from Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, throws a tow line into the Atlantic Ocean in order to capture the left spent booster nose cap after space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1814

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-25

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members from Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, prepare to recover the left spent booster nose cap from the Atlantic Ocean after space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1825

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-25

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members in a skiff from Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, inspect the left spent booster bobbing in the Atlantic Ocean after space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1918

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-28

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The left spent booster used during space shuttle Discovery's final launch hangs in a hoisting device at the Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly Facility at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-2011-1808

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-24

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Chief Mate Jamie Harris is steering Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships in the direction of the left spent booster that splashed down into the Atlantic Ocean after space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1833

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-26

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A crane on Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, heaves a spent booster nose cap from the from out of the Atlantic Ocean and onto the deck after space shuttle Discovery's final launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1909

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-28

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The left spent booster used during space shuttle Discovery's final launch is moved into a hoisting slip at the Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly Facility at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-2011-1864

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-25

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A crew member on Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, uses a crane to haul the right booster nose cap out of the Atlantic Ocean that splashed down after Discovery's final launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

KSC-2011-1921

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-28

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Workers at the Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly Facility at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, accompany the left spent booster, used during space shuttle Discovery's final launch, into the building for processing. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-2011-1868

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-26

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The sun dawns over the Atlantic Ocean and Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, stationed in the Atlantic Ocean, to recover the right spent booster after it splashed down following space shuttle Discovery's final launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

KSC-2011-1862

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-25

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members on Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, use a crane to haul the parachute from the right spent booster onto the ship after it splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean after Discovery's final launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

KSC-2011-1912

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-28

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The left spent booster used during space shuttle Discovery's final launch is guided into a hoisting slip at the Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly Facility at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-2011-1870

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-26

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members in a skiff from Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, attach a tow rope to the parachute lines from the right spent booster bobbing in the Atlantic Ocean from space shuttle Discovery's final launch. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

KSC-2011-1823

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-25

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members from Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, use a skiff to approach the left spent booster bobbing in the Atlantic Ocean after space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1834

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-26

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The massive parachute from the left spent booster is rolled up on the deck of Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, after recovery from the Atlantic Ocean and will be returned to Port Canaveral in Florida. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1856

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-24

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Captain Bren Wade is steering Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships in the direction of the right spent booster that splashed down into the Atlantic Ocean after space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

KSC-2011-1866

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-25

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members from Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, work on the parachute from the right spent booster nose cap that splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean after Discovery's final launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

KSC-2011-1863

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-25

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A crew member on Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, uses a crane to haul the right booster nose cap out of the Atlantic Ocean that splashed down after Discovery's final launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

KSC-2011-1820

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-25

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members on Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, use a crane to pull the left spent booster nose cap out of the Atlantic Ocean after space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1867

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-25

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Dusk descends on the Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships stationed in the Atlantic Ocean, to recover the right spent booster after it splashed down following space shuttle Discovery's final launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

KSC-2011-1855

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-24

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A crane and a skiff await Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, to reach the splash-down area where the right spent booster from Discovery's final launch has landed. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

KSC-2011-1819

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-25

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A crane on Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, heaves the left spent booster nose cap from the Atlantic Ocean and onto the deck after space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1818

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-25

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A crane on Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, heaves the left spent booster nose cap from the Atlantic Ocean and onto the deck after space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1816

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-25

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members from Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, use a crane to pull the left spent booster nose cap out of the Atlantic Ocean after space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1824

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-25

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members in a skiff from Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, approach and inspect the left spent booster bobbing in the Atlantic Ocean after space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1807

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-24

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The nose cap and the top of a spent booster can be seen bobbing in the Atlantic Ocean, waiting to be recovered by the crew members of Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1805

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-24

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Part of a spent booster is seen in the background bobbing in the Atlantic Ocean as deck hands on Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval vessel prepare to recover it after space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1835

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-26

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The left spent booster nose cap from space shuttle Discovery's final launch is secured to a pallet on Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships and will be returned to Port Canaveral in Florida. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1875

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-26

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A crew member on Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, monitors the progress as the massive parachute from the right spent booster from space shuttle Discovery's final launch is hauled on board. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

KSC-2011-1861

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-25

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A nose cap from the right spent booster can be seen bobbing in the Atlantic Ocean, waiting to be recovered by the crew members of Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

KSC-2011-1913

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-28

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Workers in a small raft, guide the left spent booster used during space shuttle Discovery's final launch into position in a hoisting slip at the Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly Facility at Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-2011-1812

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-24

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- After splashing down, the nose cap of the left spent booster bobs in the Atlantic Ocean as Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships makes its way closer for recovery following space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-07pd0011

NASA Image and Video Library

2007-01-05

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Lighting inside Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building seems to bathe the highbay 1 area in a golden hue as workers continue stacking the twin solid rocket boosters. The solid rocket boosters are being prepared for NASA's next Space Shuttle launch, mission STS-117. The mission is scheduled to launch aboard Atlantis no earlier than March 16, 2007. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Jeff Thon, an SRB mechanic with United Space Alliance, tests a technique for vertical solid rocket booster propellant grain inspection. The inspection of segments is required as part of safety analysis.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-09-11

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Jeff Thon, an SRB mechanic with United Space Alliance, tests a technique for vertical solid rocket booster propellant grain inspection. The inspection of segments is required as part of safety analysis.

Closeup view of the External Tank and Solid Rocket Boosters ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

Close-up view of the External Tank and Solid Rocket Boosters at the Launch Pad at Kennedy Space Center. Note the Hydrogen Vent Arm extending out from the Fixed Service Structure at attached to the Intertank segment of the External Tank. - Space Transportation System, Orbiter Discovery (OV-103), Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Harris County, TX

Engine protection system for recoverable rocket booster

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shelby, Jr., Jerry A. (Inventor)

1994-01-01

A rocket engine protection system for a recoverable rocket booster which is arranged to land in a salt water body in substantially a nose down attitude. The system includes an inflatable bag which is stowed on a portion of a flat annular rim of the aft skirt of the booster. The bag is hinged at opposing sides and is provided with springs that urge the bag open. The bag is latched in a stowed position during launch and prior to landing for recovery is unlatched to permit the bag to be urged open and into sealing engagement with the rim. A source of pressurized gas further inflates the bag and urges it into sealing engagement with the rim of the skirt where it is locked into position. The gas provides a positive pressure upon the interior of the bag to preclude entry of salt water into the skirt and into contact with the engine. A flotation arrangement may assist in precluding the skirt of the booster from becoming submerged.

KSC-2011-1838

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-26

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, waits for crew members near the left spent booster bobbing in the Atlantic Ocean to attach a hose between it and the vessel that will facilitate debris and water clearing and the pumping in of air so the booster can float horizontally on the water's surface for towing back to Port Canaveral in Florida. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1880

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-28

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ship Freedom Star, with a booster in tow, is docked in Port Canaveral in Florida before continuing on to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. A cruise ship is seen in the background. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-2011-1837

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-26

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members from Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, approach the left spent booster bobbing in the Atlantic Ocean to attach a hose that will facilitate debris and water clearing and the pumping in of air so the booster can float horizontally on the water's surface for towing back to Port Canaveral in Florida. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1881

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-28

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ship Freedom Star, with a booster in tow, is docked in Port Canaveral in Florida before continuing on to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. A cruise ship is seen in the background. The booster was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

Hybrid boosters for future launch vehicles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dargies, E.; Lo, R. E.

1987-10-01

Hybrid rocket propulsion systems furnish the advantages of much higher safety levels, due both to shut-down capability in case of ignition failure to one unit and the potential choice of nontoxic propellant combinations, such as LOX/polyethylene; they nevertheless yield performance levels comparable or superior to those of solid rocket boosters. Attention is presently given to the results of DFVLR analytical model studies of hybrid propulsion systems, with attention to solid fuel grain geometrical design and propellant grain surface ablation rate. The safety of hybrid rockets recommends them for use by manned spacecraft.

History of Solid Rockets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Green, Rebecca

2017-01-01

Solid rockets are of interest to the space program because they are commonly used as boosters that provide the additional thrust needed for the space launch vehicle to escape the gravitational pull of the Earth. Larger, more advanced solid rockets allow for space launch vehicles with larger payload capacities, enabling mankind to reach new depths of space. This presentation will discuss, in detail, the history of solid rockets. The history begins with the invention and origin of the solid rocket, and then goes into the early uses and design of the solid rocket. The evolution of solid rockets is depicted by a description of how solid rockets changed and improved and how they were used throughout the 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Modern uses of the solid rocket include the Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) on the Space Shuttle and the solid rockets used on current space launch vehicles. The functions and design of the SRB and the advancements in solid rocket technology since the use of the SRB are discussed as well. Common failure modes and design difficulties are discussed as well.

KSC-06pd1492

NASA Image and Video Library

2006-07-06

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The SRB Retrieval Ship Liberty Star tows a spent solid rocket booster toward Port Canaveral. The booster is from Space Shuttle Discovery, which launched on July 4. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about 6 by 9 nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and ,after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

KSC-06pd1497

NASA Image and Video Library

2006-07-06

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The SRB Retrieval Ship Liberty Star heads up the Banana River to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station with a spent solid rocket booster alongside. The booster is from Space Shuttle Discovery, which launched on July 4. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about 6 by 9 nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and ,after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

KSC-06pd1491

NASA Image and Video Library

2006-07-06

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The SRB Retrieval Ship Liberty Star tows a spent solid rocket booster back to Port Canaveral. The booster is from Space Shuttle Discovery, which launched on July 4. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about 6 by 9 nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and ,after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

KSC-08pd0258

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-02-10

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The solid rocket booster retrieval ship Freedom Star tows one of the boosters retrieved after the launch of space shuttle Atlantis' STS-122 mission. The space shuttle's solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about 6 by 9 nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship's tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and, after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

KSC-08pd0260

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-02-10

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The solid rocket booster retrieval ship Freedom Star tows one of the boosters, retrieved after the launch of space shuttle Atlantis' STS-122 mission, toward Port Canaveral. The space shuttle's solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about 6 by 9 nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship's tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and, after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

KSC-08pd0259

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-02-10

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Spectators watch as the solid rocket booster retrieval ship Freedom Star tows one of the boosters, retrieved after the launch of space shuttle Atlantis' STS-122 mission, toward Port Canaveral. The space shuttle's solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about 6 by 9 nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship's tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and, after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

KSC-08pd3735

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-11-19

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the dock at Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the straddle crane lowers a spent solid rocket booster onto a transporter. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The booster is from space shuttle Endeavour, which launched Nov. 14 on the STS-126 mission. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about six by nine nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and, after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-08pd3738

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-11-19

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, two spent solid rocket boosters move into the washing bay for a cleaning and rinsing. The boosters are from space shuttle Endeavour, which launched Nov. 14 on the STS-126 mission. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about six by nine nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and, after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-08pd0261

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-02-10

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The solid rocket booster retrieval ship Freedom Star tows toward Port Canaveral one of the boosters, retrieved after the launch of space shuttle Atlantis' STS-122 mission, toward Port Canaveral. The space shuttle's solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about 6 by 9 nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship's tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and, after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

KSC-2011-1847

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-27

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members from Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, monitor the progress of the left spent booster from space shuttle Discovery's final launch, as it is towed toward the vessel for its return trip to Port Canaveral in Florida. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1826

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-25

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members in a skiff from Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, make their way back to the vessel after inspecting the left spent booster bobbing in the Atlantic Ocean from space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1850

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-27

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, is docked at Port Canaveral, Florida. The left spent booster from space shuttle Discovery's final launch is being positioned along side the vessel before continuing on to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1803

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-24

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Rubber bumpers are stowed on the deck of Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships. The ship has set sail to be in position in the Atlantic Ocean to recover the spent boosters after space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1811

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-24

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- An expanse of ocean is seen on the horizon as Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, has sailed to a position in the Atlantic Ocean to recover the left spent booster after space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1842

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-26

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members on Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, monitor the progress of the left spent booster from space shuttle Discovery's final launch, as it is elevated out of the water so it can float horizontally for towing back to Port Canaveral in Florida. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1802

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-24

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A flotation device is secured to the railing of Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships. The ship has set sail to be in position in the Atlantic Ocean to recover the spent boosters after space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1857

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-24

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- An expanse of ocean is seen on the horizon as Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, set sail to be in position in the Atlantic Ocean to recover the right spent booster that splashed down after space shuttle Discovery's final launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

KSC-2011-1804

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-24

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- An expanse of ocean is seen on the horizon as Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, set sail to be in position in the Atlantic ocean to recover the spent boosters after space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1865

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-25

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members from Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, have recovered and secured the right spent booster nose cap to a pallet on the ship's deck that was recovered from the Atlantic Ocean after Discovery's final launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

KSC-2011-1828

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-25

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- This image taken from the bow of Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, shows crew members in a skiff attaching flotation devices, or buoys, to the parachute lines from the left spent booster from space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1854

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-24

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A flotation device is secured to the railing of Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships. The ship has set sail to be in position in the Atlantic Ocean to recover the right spent booster that splashed down after space shuttle Discovery's final launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

KSC-2011-1858

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-24

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- An expanse of ocean is seen on the horizon as Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, set sail to be in position in the Atlantic Ocean to recover the right spent booster that splashed down after space shuttle Discovery's final launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

Lithium cell tests at Marshall Space Flight Center. [batteries for range safety and frustrum location aid in the shuttle solid rocket booster

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Paschal, L. E.

1977-01-01

Three 18 AH Li-CF batteries with a polypropylene separator and using dimethyl sulfite in Li as F6 for the electrolyte will be placed in each shuttle solid rocket booster for range safety and frustrum location aid. Mechanical vibration, acceleration, random and design vibration, and discharge evaluation tests are discussed.

Water absorption and desorption in shuttle ablator and insulation materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whitaker, A. F.; Smith, C. F.; Wooden, V. A.; Cothren, B. E.; Gregory, H.

1982-01-01

Shuttle systems ablator and insulation materials underwent water soak with subsequent water desorption in vacuum. Water accumulation in these materials after a soak for 24 hours ranged from +1.1% for orbiter tile to +161% for solid rocket booster MSA-1. After 1 minute in vacuum, water retention ranged from none in the orbiter tile to +70% for solid rocket booster cork.

Thermal design of the space shuttle solid rocket booster

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fisher, R. R.; Vaniman, J. L.; Patterson, W. J.

1985-01-01

The thermal protection systems (TPS) to meet the quick turnaround and low cost required for reuse of the solid rocket booster (SRB) hardware. The TPS development considered the ease of application, changing ascent/reentry environments, and the problem of cleaning the residual insulation upon recovery. A sprayable ablator TPS material was developed. The challenges involved in design and development of this thermal system are discussed.

Closeup view of an Aft Skirt being prepared for mating ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

Close-up view of an Aft Skirt being prepared for mating with sub assemblies in the Solid Rocket Booster Assembly and Refurbishment Facility at Kennedy Space Center. The most prominent feature in this view are the six Thrust Vector Control System access ports, three per hydraulic actuator. - Space Transportation System, Solid Rocket Boosters, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Harris County, TX

Orion EM-1 Booster Preps - Aft Skirt Preps/Painting

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-10-28

A paint technician with Orbital ATK, prime contractor for the Space Launch System (SLS) Booster, uses an air gun to apply paint to the right hand aft skirt for NASA’s SLS rocket inside a support building at the Hangar AF facility at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The space shuttle-era aft skirt, was inspected and resurfaced to prepare it for primer and paint. The aft skirt will be used on the right hand booster of the SLS rocket for Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1). NASA is preparing for EM-1, deep-space missions, and the journey to Mars.

SLS Booster Engine Service Platforms Delivery

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-07-31

A flatbed truck carrying one of two new service platforms for NASA's Space Launch System booster engines nears the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The platforms were transported from fabricator Met-Con Inc. in Cocoa, Florida. They will be delivered to the VAB, where they will be stored and used for processing and checkout of the engines for the rocket's twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for Exploration Mission-1. EM-1 will launch an uncrewed Orion spacecraft to a stable orbit beyond the Moon and bring it back to Earth for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

Booster Engine Service Platforms Delivered to VAB

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-04-17

A new service platform for NASA's Space Launch System booster engines is being prepared for the move into the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The platform was transported from fabricator Met-Con Inc. in Cocoa, Florida. It will be stored in the VAB, and used for processing and checkout of the engines for the rocket's twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for Exploration Mission-1. EM-1 will launch an uncrewed Orion spacecraft to a stable orbit beyond the Moon and bring it back to Earth for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

SLS Booster Engine Service Platforms Delivery

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-07-31

A flatbed truck carrying one of two new service platforms for NASA's Space Launch System booster engines backs up inside the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The platforms were transported from fabricator Met-Con Inc. in Cocoa, Florida. They will be stored in the VAB, where they will be used for processing and checkout of the engines for the rocket's twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for Exploration Mission-1. EM-1 will launch an uncrewed Orion spacecraft to a stable orbit beyond the Moon and bring it back to Earth for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

SLS Booster Engine Service Platforms Delivery

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-07-31

A flatbed truck carrying one of two new service platforms for NASA's Space Launch System booster engines backs in to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The platforms were transported from fabricator Met-Con Inc. in Cocoa, Florida. They will be stored in the VAB, where they will be used for processing and checkout of the engines for the rocket's twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for Exploration Mission-1. EM-1 will launch an uncrewed Orion spacecraft to a stable orbit beyond the Moon and bring it back to Earth for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

SLS Booster Engine Service Platforms Delivery

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-07-31

A flatbed truck carrying one of two new service platforms for NASA's Space Launch System booster engines arrives inside the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The platforms were transported from fabricator Met-Con Inc. in Cocoa, Florida. They will be stored in the VAB, where they will be used for processing and checkout of the engines for the rocket's twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for Exploration Mission-1. EM-1 will launch an uncrewed Orion spacecraft to a stable orbit beyond the Moon and bring it back to Earth for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

SLS Booster Engine Service Platforms Delivery

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-07-31

A flatbed truck carrying one of two new service platforms for NASA's Space Launch System booster engines arrives at the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The platforms were transported from fabricator Met-Con Inc. in Cocoa, Florida. They will be stored in the VAB, where they will be used for processing and checkout of the engines for the rocket's twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for Exploration Mission-1. EM-1 will launch an uncrewed Orion spacecraft to a stable orbit beyond the Moon and bring it back to Earth for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

SLS Booster Engine Service Platforms Delivery

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-07-31

New service platforms for NASA's Space Launch System booster engines, secured on two flatbed trucks, are on their way to the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. They are being transported from fabricator Met-Con Inc. in Cocoa, Florida. The platforms will be delivered to the Vehicle Assembly Building, where they will be stored and used for processing and checkout of the engines for the rocket's twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for Exploration Mission-1. EM-1 will launch an uncrewed Orion spacecraft to a stable orbit beyond the Moon and bring it back to Earth for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

SLS Booster Engine Service Platforms Delivery

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-07-31

One of two new work platforms for NASA's Space Launch System booster engines is secured on dunnage inside the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The platforms were transported from fabricator Met-Con Inc. in Cocoa, Florida. They will be stored in the VAB, where they will be used for processing and checkout of the engines for the rocket's twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for Exploration Mission-1. EM-1 will launch an uncrewed Orion spacecraft to a stable orbit beyond the Moon and bring it back to Earth for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

KSC-2009-6029

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-10-30

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the spent first stage of NASA's Ares I-X rocket is secured in a slip. The solid rocket booster recovery ship Freedom Star recovered the booster after it splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean following its flight test. Liftoff of the 6-minute flight test was at 11:30 a.m. EDT Oct. 28. This was the first launch from Kennedy's pads of a vehicle other than the space shuttle since the Apollo Program's Saturn rockets were retired. The parts used to make the Ares I-X booster flew on 30 different shuttle missions ranging from STS-29 in 1989 to STS-106 in 2000. The data returned from more than 700 sensors throughout the rocket will be used to refine the design of future launch vehicles and bring NASA one step closer to reaching its exploration goals. For information on the Ares I-X vehicle and flight test, visit http://www.nasa.gov/aresIX. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2009-6024

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-10-30

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The solid rocket booster recovery ship Freedom Star, towing the spent first stage of NASA's Ares I-X rocket, passes through Port Canaveral in Florida. Following the launch of the Ares I-X flight test, the booster splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean and was recovered. Liftoff of the 6-minute flight test was at 11:30 a.m. EDT Oct. 28. This was the first launch from Kennedy's pads of a vehicle other than the space shuttle since the Apollo Program's Saturn rockets were retired. The parts used to make the Ares I-X booster flew on 30 different shuttle missions ranging from STS-29 in 1989 to STS-106 in 2000. The data returned from more than 700 sensors throughout the rocket will be used to refine the design of future launch vehicles and bring NASA one step closer to reaching its exploration goals. For information on the Ares I-X vehicle and flight test, visit http://www.nasa.gov/aresIX. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2009-6032

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-10-31

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the spent first stage of NASA's Ares I-X rocket, secured in a slip, awaits inspection. The booster was recovered by the solid rocket booster recovery ship Freedom Star after it splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean following its flight test. Liftoff of the 6-minute flight test was at 11:30 a.m. EDT Oct. 28. This was the first launch from Kennedy's pads of a vehicle other than the space shuttle since the Apollo Program's Saturn rockets were retired. The parts used to make the Ares I-X booster flew on 30 different shuttle missions ranging from STS-29 in 1989 to STS-106 in 2000. The data returned from more than 700 sensors throughout the rocket will be used to refine the design of future launch vehicles and bring NASA one step closer to reaching its exploration goals. For information on the Ares I-X vehicle and flight test, visit http://www.nasa.gov/aresIX. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2009-6027

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-10-30

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The solid rocket booster recovery ship Freedom Star delivers the spent first stage of NASA's Ares I-X rocket to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Following the launch of the Ares I-X flight test, the booster splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean and was recovered. Liftoff of the 6-minute flight test was at 11:30 a.m. EDT Oct. 28. This was the first launch from Kennedy's pads of a vehicle other than the space shuttle since the Apollo Program's Saturn rockets were retired. The parts used to make the Ares I-X booster flew on 30 different shuttle missions ranging from STS-29 in 1989 to STS-106 in 2000. The data returned from more than 700 sensors throughout the rocket will be used to refine the design of future launch vehicles and bring NASA one step closer to reaching its exploration goals. For information on the Ares I-X vehicle and flight test, visit http://www.nasa.gov/aresIX. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2009-6028

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-10-30

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, workers guide the spent first stage of NASA's Ares I-X rocket into a slip. The solid rocket booster recovery ship Freedom Star, in the background, recovered the booster after it splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean following its flight test. Liftoff of the 6-minute flight test was at 11:30 a.m. EDT Oct. 28. This was the first launch from Kennedy's pads of a vehicle other than the space shuttle since the Apollo Program's Saturn rockets were retired. The parts used to make the Ares I-X booster flew on 30 different shuttle missions ranging from STS-29 in 1989 to STS-106 in 2000. The data returned from more than 700 sensors throughout the rocket will be used to refine the design of future launch vehicles and bring NASA one step closer to reaching its exploration goals. For information on the Ares I-X vehicle and flight test, visit http://www.nasa.gov/aresIX. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2009-6030

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-10-31

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the spent first stage of NASA's Ares I-X rocket is secured in a slip. The solid rocket booster recovery ship Freedom Star recovered the booster after it splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean following its flight test. Liftoff of the 6-minute flight test was at 11:30 a.m. EDT Oct. 28. This was the first launch from Kennedy's pads of a vehicle other than the space shuttle since the Apollo Program's Saturn rockets were retired. The parts used to make the Ares I-X booster flew on 30 different shuttle missions ranging from STS-29 in 1989 to STS-106 in 2000. The data returned from more than 700 sensors throughout the rocket will be used to refine the design of future launch vehicles and bring NASA one step closer to reaching its exploration goals. For information on the Ares I-X vehicle and flight test, visit http://www.nasa.gov/aresIX. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-08pd0860

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-03-27

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --- At Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, a second solid rocket booster joins the first booster lifted into the mobile service tower for mating with the Delta II rocket that will launch NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft. A series of nine strap-on solid rocket motors will help power the first stage. Because the Delta rocket is configured as a Delta II 7920 Heavy, the boosters are larger than those used on the standard configuration. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. Launch is currently planned for May 16 from Pad 17-B. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-08pd0263

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-02-10

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The solid rocket booster retrieval ship Freedom Star is temporarily docked at Port Canaveral while the booster it was towing is moved alongside for the remainder of the trip upriver to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Freedom Star retrieved the booster after the launch of space shuttle Atlantis' STS-122 mission. The space shuttle's solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about 6 by 9 nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship's tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and, after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

KSC-08pd0262

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-02-10

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The solid rocket booster retrieval ship Freedom Star is temporarily docked at Port Canaveral while the booster it was towing is moved alongside for the remainder of the trip upriver to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Freedom Star retrieved the booster after the launch of space shuttle Atlantis' STS-122 mission. The space shuttle's solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about 6 by 9 nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship's tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and, after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

Effects of 1980 technology on weight of a recovery system for a one million pound booster

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eckstrom, C. V.

1975-01-01

The effects were evaluated of 1980 technology on the weight of recovery systems capable of decelerating a one-million-pound booster to vertical velocities of 60 or 30 ft/sec at sea level impact. A nominal set of booster staging conditions were assumed and there were no constraints on parachute size, number or type. The effects of new materials that would be available by 1980, the effects of booster attitude during entry, various parachute staging methods, parachute reefing schemes, parachute-retro rocket hybrid systems, and the effects of dividing the booster into separate pieces for recovery were evaluated. It was determined that for the systems considered, a hybrid parachute-retro-rocket recovery system would have the minimum weight. New materials now becoming available for parachute fabrication should result in a 37-percent reduction in hybrid recovery system weight for an impact velocity of 30 fps.

Liquid Rocket Booster Study. Volume 2, Book 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

The recommended Liquid Rocket Booster (LRB) concept is shown which uses a common main engine with the Advanced Launch System (ALS) which burns LO2 and LH2. The central rationale is based on the belief that the U.S. can only afford one big new rocket engine development in the 1990's. A LO2/LH2 engine in the half million pound thrust class could satisfy STS LRB, ALS, and Shuttle C (instead of SSMEs). Development costs and higher production rates can be shared by NASA and USAF. If the ALS program does not occur, the LO2/RP-1 propellants would produce slight lower costs for and STS LRB. When the planned Booster Engine portion of the Civil Space Transportation Initiatives has provided data on large pressure fed LO2/RP-1 engines, then the choice should be reevaluated.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The external tank in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) is destacked from the solid rocket boosters. The tank and SRBs were configured for Atlantis and mission STS-114. The tank will remain in the VAB.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-05-20

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The external tank in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) is destacked from the solid rocket boosters. The tank and SRBs were configured for Atlantis and mission STS-114. The tank will remain in the VAB.

SRB-3D Solid Rocket Booster performance prediction program. Volume 1: Engineering description/users information manual

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Winkler, J. C.

1976-01-01

The modified Solid Rocket Booster Performance Evaluation Model (SRB-3D) was developed as an extension to the internal ballistics module of the SRB-2 performance program. This manual contains the engineering description of SRB-3D which describes the approach used to develop the 3D concept and an explanation of the modifications which were necessary to implement these concepts.

Evolution of solid rocket booster component testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lessey, Joseph A.

1989-01-01

The evolution of one of the new generation of test sets developed for the Solid Rocket Booster of the U.S. Space Transportation System. Requirements leading to factory checkout of the test set are explained, including the evolution from manual to semiautomated toward fully automated status. Individual improvements in the built-in test equipment, self-calibration, and software flexibility are addressed, and the insertion of fault detection to improve reliability is discussed.

The Use of Ion Vapor Deposited Aluminum (IVD) for the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster (SRB)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Novak, Howard L.

2003-01-01

This viewgraph representation provides an overview of the use of ion vapor deposited aluminum (IVD) for use in the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster (SRB). Topics considered include: schematics of ion vapor deposition system, production of ion vapor deposition system, IVD vs. cadmium coated drogue ratchets, corrosion exposure facilities and tests, seawater immersion facilities and tests and continued research and development issues.

The Silver Bird story: A memoir

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Saenger-Bredt, I.

1977-01-01

A manned recoverable flying machine that operates both in air and space was discussed. This space shuttle precursor was proposed in the early 1900's by Eugen Sanger. The vehicle was especially to be used as the first stage of booster rockets or to ferry, supply and furnish rescue equipment for manned space stations. Basic concepts of the space aircraft, a cross between a powered booster rocket and an aerodynamic glider, are presented.

Space shuttle solid rocket booster sting interference wind tunnel test analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Conine, B.; Boyle, W.

1981-01-01

Wind tunnel test results from shuttle solid rocket booster (SRB) sting interference tests were evaluated, yielding the general influence of the sting on the normal force and pitching moment coefficients and the side force and yawing moment coefficients. The procedures developed to determine the sting interference, the development of the corrected aerodynamic data, and the development of a new SRB aerodynamic mathematical model are documented.

Large-eddy simulations of a solid-rocket booster jet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paoli, Roberto; Poubeau, Adele; Cariolle, Daniel

2014-11-01

Emissions from solid-rocket boosters are responsible for a severe decrease in ozone concentration in the rocket plume during the first hours after a launch. The main source of ozone depletion is due to hydrogen chloride that is converted into chlorine in the high temperature regions of the jet (afterburning). The objective of this study is to evaluate the active chlorine concentration in the plume of a solid-rocket booster using large-eddy simulations. The gas is injected through the entire nozzle of the booster and a local time-stepping method based on coupling multi-instances of a fluid solver is used to extend the computational domain up to 600 nozzle exit diameters. The methodology is validated for a non-reactive case by analyzing the flow characteristics of supersonic co-flowing under expanded jets. Then, the chemistry of chlorine is studied offline using a complex chemistry solver and the LES data extracted from the mean trajectories of sample fluid particles. Finally, the online chemistry is analyzed by means of the multispecies version of the LES solver using a reduced chemistry scheme. The LES are able to capture the mixing of the exhaust with ambient air and the species concentrations, which is also useful to initialize atmospheric simulations on larger domains.

Electrets used in measuring rocket exhaust effluents from the space shuttle's solid rocket booster during static test firing, DM-3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Susko, M.

1979-01-01

The purpose of this experimental research was to compare Marshall Space Flight Center's electrets with Thiokol's fixed flow air samplers during the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster Demonstration Model-3 static test firing on October 19, 1978. The measurement of rocket exhaust effluents by Thiokol's samplers and MSFC's electrets indicated that the firing of the Solid Rocket Booster had no significant effect on the quality of the air sampled. The highest measurement by Thiokol's samplers was obtained at Plant 3 (site 11) approximately 8 km at a 113 degree heading from the static test stand. At sites 11, 12, and 5, Thiokol's fixed flow air samplers measured 0.0048, 0.00016, and 0.00012 mg/m3 of CI. Alongside the fixed flow measurements, the electret counts from X-ray spectroscopy were 685, 894, and 719 counts. After background corrections, the counts were 334, 543, and 368, or an average of 415 counts. An additional electred, E20, which was the only measurement device at a site approximately 20 km northeast from the test site where no power was available, obtained 901 counts. After background correction, the count was 550. Again this data indicate there was no measurement of significant rocket exhaust effluents at the test site.

Rocket Science: The Shuttle's Main Engines, though Old, Are not Forgotten in the New Exploration Initiative

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Covault, Craig

2005-01-01

The Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME), developed 30 years ago, remains a strong candidate for use in the new Exploration Initiative as part of a shuttle-derived heavy-lift expendable booster. This is because the Boeing-Rocket- dyne man-rated SSME remains the most highly efficient liquid rocket engine ever developed. There are only enough parts for 12-15 existing SSMEs, however, so one NASA option is to reinitiate SSME production to use it as a throw-away, as opposed to a reusable, powerplant for NASA s new heavy-lift booster.

OA-7 Atlas V Centaur mate to Booster

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-02-23

The Centaur upper stage of the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket arrives at the Vertical Integration Facility at Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The Centaur stage is lifted and mated to the first stage booster. The rocket is being prepared for Orbital ATK's seventh commercial resupply mission, CRS-7, to the International Space Station. Orbital ATK's CYGNUS pressurized cargo module is scheduled to launch atop ULA's Atlas V rocket from Pad 41 on March 19, 2017. CYGNUS will deliver 7,600 of pounds of supplies, equipment and scientific research materials to the space station

Vehicle Support Posts Installation at Mobile Launcher

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-05-11

Construction workers at the Mobile Launcher at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, prepare to install vehicle support posts. A total of eight support posts are being installed to support the load of the Space Launch System's (SLS) solid rocket boosters, with four posts for each of the boosters. The support posts are about five feet tall and each weigh about 10,000 pounds. The posts will structurally support the SLS rocket through T-0 and liftoff. The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is overseeing installation of the support posts to prepare for the launch of the Orion spacecraft atop the SLS rocket.

KSC-08pd1093

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-05-01

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Firing Room No. 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, a worker maneuvers a panel to build another cabinet to hold equipment that will support the future Ares rocket launches as part of the Constellation Program. Future astronauts will ride to orbit on Ares I, which uses a single five-segment solid rocket booster, a derivative of the space shuttle's solid rocket booster, for the first stage. Ares will be launched from Pad 39B, which is being reconfigured from supporting space shuttle launches. The Launch Control Center firing rooms face the launch pads. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-08pd1096

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-05-01

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Firing Room No. 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, workers line up the new equipment cabinets. The firing room will support the future Ares rocket launches as part of the Constellation Program. Future astronauts will ride to orbit on Ares I, which uses a single five-segment solid rocket booster, a derivative of the space shuttle's solid rocket booster, for the first stage. Ares will be launched from Pad 39B, which is being reconfigured from supporting space shuttle launches. The Launch Control Center firing rooms face the launch pads. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-08pd1090

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-05-01

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Firing Room No. 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, cabinets are being erected to hold equipment that will support the future Ares rocket launches as part of the Constellation Program. Future astronauts will ride to orbit on Ares I, which uses a single five-segment solid rocket booster, a derivative of the space shuttle's solid rocket booster, for the first stage. Ares will be launched from Pad 39B, which is being reconfigured from supporting space shuttle launches. The Launch Control Center firing rooms face the launch pads. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-08pd1094

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-05-01

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Firing Room No. 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, workers put together another cabinet to hold equipment that will support the future Ares rocket launches as part of the Constellation Program. Future astronauts will ride to orbit on Ares I, which uses a single five-segment solid rocket booster, a derivative of the space shuttle's solid rocket booster, for the first stage. Ares will be launched from Pad 39B, which is being reconfigured from supporting space shuttle launches. The Launch Control Center firing rooms face the launch pads. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-08pd1091

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-05-01

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Firing Room No. 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, workers put together another cabinet to hold equipment that will support the future Ares rocket launches as part of the Constellation Program. Future astronauts will ride to orbit on Ares I, which uses a single five-segment solid rocket booster, a derivative of the space shuttle's solid rocket booster, for the first stage. Ares will be launched from Pad 39B, which is being reconfigured from supporting space shuttle launches. The Launch Control Center firing rooms face the launch pads. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

SRB Environment Evaluation and Analysis. Volume 3: ASRB Plume Induced Environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bender, R. L.; Brown, J. R.; Reardon, J. E.; Everson, J.; Coons, L. W.; Stuckey, C. I.; Fulton, M. S.

1991-01-01

Contract NAS8-37891 was expanded in late 1989 to initiate analysis of Shuttle plume induced environments as a result of the substitution of the Advanced Solid Rocket Booster (ASRB) for the Redesigned Solid Rocket Booster (RSRB). To support this analysis, REMTECH became involved in subscale and full-scale solid rocket motor test programs which further expanded the scope of work. Later contract modifications included additional tasks to produce initial design cycle environments and to specify development flight instrumentation. Volume 3 of the final report describes these analyses and contains a summary of reports resulting from various studies.

The SRBs for the Delta II rocket carrying the Mars Polar Lander arrive on Pad 17B, CCAS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1998-01-01

On Pad 17B, Cape Canaveral Air Station, a solid rocket booster hangs in place between two other rocket boosters waiting to be mated with the Delta II rocket carrying the Mars Polar Lander. The rocket will be used to launch the Mars Polar Lander on Jan. 3, 1999. The lander is a solar-powered spacecraft designed to touch down on the Martian surface near the northern-most boundary of the south pole in order to study the water cycle there. The lander also will help scientists learn more about climate change and current resources on Mars, studying such things as frost, dust, water vapor and condensates in the Martian atmosphere. It is the second spacecraft to be launched in a pair of Mars '98 missions. The first is the Mars Climate Orbiter, to be launched aboard a Delta II rocket from Launch Complex 17A in December 1998.

Economics of the solid rocket booster for space shuttle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rice, W. C.

1979-01-01

The paper examines economics of the solid rocket booster for the Space Shuttle. Costs have been held down by adapting existing technology to the 146 in. SRB selected, with NASA reducing the cost of expendables and reusing the expensive nonexpendable hardware. Drop tests of Titan III motor cases and nozzles proved that boosters can survive water impact at vertical velocities of 100 ft/sec so that SRB components can be reused. The cost of expendables was minimized by selecting proven propellants, insulation, and nozzle ablatives of known costs; the propellant has the lowest available cost formulation, and low cost ablatives, such as pitch carbon fibers, will be used when available. Thus, the use of proven technology and low cost expendables will make the SRB an economical booster for the Space Shuttle.

KSC-2011-1841

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-26

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The left spent booster from space shuttle Discovery's final launch is seen bobbing in the Atlantic Ocean as air is pumped into it to lift it out of the water so it can float horizontally for towing back to Port Canaveral, Florida by Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1860

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-25

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members of Liberty Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, hold on tightly to handle grips as the swells of the Atlantic Ocean cause the vessel to pitch and roll while heading toward the recovery area where the right spent booster splashed down after Discovery's final launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

KSC-2011-1843

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-26

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Crew members in a skiff from Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, look back at the vessel toward the left spent booster nose cap, which was recovered from the Atlantic Ocean and now secured on the deck for delivery back to Port Canaveral in Florida. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-06pd1494

NASA Image and Video Library

2006-07-06

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At a dock in Port Canaveral, the SRB Retrieval Ship Liberty Star has successfully transferred its tow cargo, a spent solid rocket booster, to a starboard position for the balance of its journey to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The booster is from Space Shuttle Discovery, which launched on July 4. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about 6 by 9 nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and ,after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

KSC-06pd1498

NASA Image and Video Library

2006-07-06

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - With the Vehicle Assembly Building in the background, the SRB Retrieval Ship Liberty Star nears Cape Canaveral Air Force Station with a spent solid rocket booster alongside. The booster is from Space Shuttle Discovery, which launched on July 4. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about 6 by 9 nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and ,after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

KSC-06pd1500

NASA Image and Video Library

2006-07-06

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The SRB Retrieval Ship Liberty Star closes in on the dock at Hangar AF, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, with a spent solid rocket booster alongside. The booster is from Space Shuttle Discovery, which launched on July 4. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about 6 by 9 nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and ,after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

KSC-06pd1502

NASA Image and Video Library

2006-07-06

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The SRB Retrieval Ship Liberty Star arrives at the dock at Hangar AF, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, with a spent solid rocket booster alongside. The booster is from Space Shuttle Discovery, which launched on July 4. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about 6 by 9 nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and ,after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

KSC-06pd1499

NASA Image and Video Library

2006-07-06

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The SRB Retrieval Ship Liberty Star closes in on the dock at Hangar AF, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, with a spent solid rocket booster alongside. The booster is from Space Shuttle Discovery, which launched on July 4. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about 6 by 9 nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and ,after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

KSC-06pd1503

NASA Image and Video Library

2006-07-06

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At the dock at Hangar AF, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the SRB Retrieval Ship Liberty Star gets ready to transfer the spent solid rocket booster to a straddle crane that will lift it out of the water. The booster is from Space Shuttle Discovery, which launched on July 4. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about 6 by 9 nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and ,after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

KSC-06pd1493

NASA Image and Video Library

2006-07-06

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At a dock in Port Canaveral, the SRB Retrieval Ship Liberty Star transfers its tow cargo, a spent solid rocket booster, to a starboard position for the balance of its journey to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The booster is from Space Shuttle Discovery, which launched on July 4. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about 6 by 9 nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and ,after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

KSC-06pd1495

NASA Image and Video Library

2006-07-06

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The SRB Retrieval Ship Liberty Star begins the rest of its journey to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station with a spent solid rocket booster alongside. The booster is from Space Shuttle Discovery, which launched on July 4. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about 6 by 9 nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and ,after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

KSC-06pd1501

NASA Image and Video Library

2006-07-06

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The SRB Retrieval Ship Liberty Star closes in on the dock at Hangar AF, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, with a spent solid rocket booster alongside. The booster is from Space Shuttle Discovery, which launched on July 4. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about 6 by 9 nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and ,after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

KSC-06pd1506

NASA Image and Video Library

2006-07-06

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At the dock at Hangar AF, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, workers move the spent solid rocket booster underneath the straddle crane that will lift it out of the water. The booster is from Space Shuttle Discovery, which launched on July 4. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about 6 by 9 nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and ,after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

KSC-06pd1496

NASA Image and Video Library

2006-07-06

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The SRB Retrieval Ship Liberty Star begins the rest of its journey to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station with a spent solid rocket booster alongside. The booster is from Space Shuttle Discovery, which launched on July 4. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about 6 by 9 nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and ,after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

KSC-08pd3737

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-11-19

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the dock at Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, two spent solid rocket boosters begin moving to the hangar for the safing process. They will be driven through the washing bay for a cleaning and rinsing. The boosters are from space shuttle Endeavour, which launched Nov. 14 on the STS-126 mission. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about six by nine nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and, after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Booster Engine Service Platforms Delivered to VAB

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-04-17

A new service platform for NASA's Space Launch System booster engines, secured on a flatbed truck, has arrived at the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It was transported from fabricator Met-Con Inc. in Cocoa, Florida. The platform will be stored in the VAB and used for processing and checkout of the engines for the rocket's twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1). During EM-1, an uncrewed Orion spacecraft will launch on the SLS to a stable orbit beyond the Moon and return to Earth for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

Booster Engine Service Platforms Delivered to VAB

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-04-17

A new service platform for NASA's Space Launch System booster engines has been offloaded from a flatbed truck and is being prepared for the move into the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The platform was transported from fabricator Met-Con Inc. in Cocoa, Florida. It will be stored in the VAB, and used for processing and checkout of the engines for the rocket's twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for Exploration Mission-1. EM-1 will launch an uncrewed Orion spacecraft to a stable orbit beyond the Moon and bring it back to Earth for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

Booster Engine Service Platforms Delivered to VAB

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-04-17

A new service platform for NASA's Space Launch System booster engines, secured on a flatbed truck, is on its way to the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It was transported from fabricator Met-Con Inc. in Cocoa, Florida. The platform will be delivered to the Vehicle Assembly Building, where it will be stored and used for processing and checkout of the engines for the rocket's twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1). During EM-1, an uncrewed Orion spacecraft will launch on the SLS to a stable orbit beyond the Moon and return to Earth for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

SLS Booster Engine Service Platforms Delivery

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-07-31

A flatbed truck carrying one of two new service platforms for NASA's Space Launch System booster engines makes its way along the NASA Causeway to the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The platforms were transported from fabricator Met-Con Inc. in Cocoa, Florida. They will be delivered to the Vehicle Assembly Building, where they will be stored and used for processing and checkout of the engines for the rocket's twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for Exploration Mission-1. EM-1 will launch an uncrewed Orion spacecraft to a stable orbit beyond the Moon and bring it back to Earth for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

Launch Vehicles

NASA Image and Video Library

2007-09-09

Under the goals of the Vision for Space Exploration, Ares I is a chief component of the cost-effective space transportation infrastructure being developed by NASA's Constellation Program. This transportation system will safely and reliably carry human explorers back to the moon, and then onward to Mars and other destinations in the solar system. The Ares I effort includes multiple project element teams at NASA centers and contract organizations around the nation, and is managed by the Exploration Launch Projects Office at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MFSC). ATK Launch Systems near Brigham City, Utah, is the prime contractor for the first stage booster. ATK's subcontractor, United Space Alliance of Houston, is designing, developing and testing the parachutes at its facilities at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston hosts the Constellation Program and Orion Crew Capsule Project Office and provides test instrumentation and support personnel. Together, these teams are developing vehicle hardware, evolving proven technologies, and testing components and systems. Their work builds on powerful, reliable space shuttle propulsion elements and nearly a half-century of NASA space flight experience and technological advances. Ares I is an inline, two-stage rocket configuration topped by the Crew Exploration Vehicle, its service module, and a launch abort system. The launch vehicle's first stage is a single, five-segment reusable solid rocket booster derived from the Space Shuttle Program's reusable solid rocket motor that burns a specially formulated and shaped solid propellant called polybutadiene acrylonitrile (PBAN). The second or upper stage will be propelled by a J-2X main engine fueled with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. This HD video image depicts a test firing of a 40k subscale J2X injector at MSFC's test stand 115. (Highest resolution available)

Water impact test of aft skirt end ring, and mid ring segments of the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1983-01-01

The results of water impact loads tests using aft skirt end ring, and mid ring segments of the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) are examined. Dynamic structural response data is developed and an evaluation of the model in various configurations is presented. Impact velocities are determined for the SRB with the larger main chute system. Various failure modes are also investigated.

Liquid rocket booster integration study. Volume 4: Reviews and presentation material

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1988-01-01

Liquid rocket booster integration study is presented. Volume 4 contains materials presented at the MSFC/JSC/KSC Integrated Reviews and Working Group Sessions, and the Progress Reviews presented to the KSC Study Manager. The following subject areas are covered: initial impact assessment; conflicts with the on-going STS mission; access to the LRB at the PAD; the activation schedule; transition requirements; cost methodology; cost modelling approach; and initial life cycle cost.

KSC-2012-4455

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-08-14

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a crane is used to load the aft skirt for a space shuttle solid rocket booster on a truck. A twin set of space shuttle solid rocket boosters and an external fuel tank are being prepared for transport to separate museums. The solid rocket boosters, or SRBs, will be displayed at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. The external tank soon will be transported for display at the Wings of Dreams Aviation Museum at Keystone Heights Airport between Gainesville and Jacksonville, Fla. The 149-foot SRBs together provided six million pounds of thrust. The external fuel tank contained over 500,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellant for the shuttle orbiters' three main engines. The work is part of Transition and Retirement of the space shuttle. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition Photo credit: NASA/ Dimitri Gerondidakis

Aft Skirt Electrical Umbilical (ASEU) and Vehicle Support Post (

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-12-09

Construction workers assist as a crane is used to lower a vertical support post for NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) onto a platform at the Mobile Launcher Yard at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Two ASEUs and the first of the vertical support posts underwent a series of tests at the Launch Equipment Test Facility to confirm they are functioning properly and ready to support the SLS for launch. The ASEUs will connect to the SLS rocket at the bottom outer edge of each booster and provide electrical power and data connections to the rocket until it lifts off from the launch pad. The eight VSPs will support the load of the solid rocket boosters, with four posts for each of the boosters. The center’s Engineering Directorate and the Ground Systems Development and Operations Program are overseeing processing and testing of the umbilicals.

KSC-08pd0856

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-03-27

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --- At Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, a second solid rocket booster is raised from its transporter. The booster will join the first booster lifted into the mobile service tower for mating with the Delta II rocket to launch NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft. A series of nine strap-on solid rocket motors will help power the first stage. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. Launch is currently planned for May 16 from Pad 17-B. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

Technology for low cost solid rocket boosters.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ciepluch, C.

1971-01-01

A review of low cost large solid rocket motors developed at the Lewis Research Center is given. An estimate is made of the total cost reduction obtainable by incorporating this new technology package into the rocket motor design. The propellant, case material, insulation, nozzle ablatives, and thrust vector control are discussed. The effect of the new technology on motor cost is calculated for a typical expandable 260-in. booster application. Included in the cost analysis is the influence of motor performance variations due to specific impulse and weight changes. It is found for this application that motor costs may be reduced by up to 30% and that the economic attractiveness of future large solid rocket motors will be improved when the new technology is implemented.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Delta II rocket on Launch Complex 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, is having solid rocket boosters (SRBs) installed that will help launch Mars Exploration Rover 2 (MER-2) on June 5. In the center are three more solid rocket boosters that will be added to the Delta, which will carry nine in all. NASA’s twin Mars Exploration Rovers are designed to study the history of water on Mars. These robotic geologists are equipped with a robotic arm, a drilling tool, three spectrometers, and four pairs of cameras that allow them to have a human-like, 3D view of the terrain. Each rover could travel as far as 100 meters in one day to act as Mars scientists' eyes and hands, exploring an environment where humans can’t yet go. MER-2 is scheduled to launch as MER-A. MER-1 (MER-B) will launch June 25.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-05-15

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Delta II rocket on Launch Complex 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, is having solid rocket boosters (SRBs) installed that will help launch Mars Exploration Rover 2 (MER-2) on June 5. In the center are three more solid rocket boosters that will be added to the Delta, which will carry nine in all. NASA’s twin Mars Exploration Rovers are designed to study the history of water on Mars. These robotic geologists are equipped with a robotic arm, a drilling tool, three spectrometers, and four pairs of cameras that allow them to have a human-like, 3D view of the terrain. Each rover could travel as far as 100 meters in one day to act as Mars scientists' eyes and hands, exploring an environment where humans can’t yet go. MER-2 is scheduled to launch as MER-A. MER-1 (MER-B) will launch June 25.

Orbital Payload Reductions Resulting from Booster and Trajectory Modifications for Recovery of a Large Rocket Booster

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Levin, Alan D.; Hopkins, Edward J.

1961-01-01

An analysis was made to determine the reduction in payload for a 300 nautical mile orbit resulting from the addition of inert weight, representing recovery gear, to the first-stage booster of a three-stage rocket vehicle. The values of added inert weight investigated ranged from 0 to 18 percent of gross weight at lift off. The study also included the effects on the payload in orbit and the distance from the launch site at burnout and at impact caused by variation in the vertical rise time before the programmed tilt. The vertical rise times investigated ranged from 16-7 to 100 percent of booster burning time. For a vertical rise of 16.7 percent of booster burning time it was found that a 50-percent increase in the weight of the empty booster resulted in only a 10-percent reduction of the payload in orbit. For no added booster weight, increasing vertical rise time from 16-7 to 100 percent of booster burning time (so that the spent booster would impact in the launch area) reduced the payload by 37 percent. Increasing the vertical rise time from 16-7 to 50 percent of booster burning time resulted in about a 15-percent reduction in the impact distance, and for vertical rise times greater than 50-percent the impact distance decreased rapidly.

KSC-2009-6031

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-10-31

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, workers prepare to inspect the spent first stage of NASA's Ares I-X rocket, secured in a slip. The booster was recovered by the solid rocket booster recovery ship Freedom Star after it splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean following its flight test. Liftoff of the 6-minute flight test was at 11:30 a.m. EDT Oct. 28. This was the first launch from Kennedy's pads of a vehicle other than the space shuttle since the Apollo Program's Saturn rockets were retired. The parts used to make the Ares I-X booster flew on 30 different shuttle missions ranging from STS-29 in 1989 to STS-106 in 2000. The data returned from more than 700 sensors throughout the rocket will be used to refine the design of future launch vehicles and bring NASA one step closer to reaching its exploration goals. For information on the Ares I-X vehicle and flight test, visit http://www.nasa.gov/aresIX. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-08pd0866

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-03-27

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --- On Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the third solid rocket booster is lifted into the mobile service tower for mating with the Delta II rocket that will launch NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft. It joins the first two boosters already in place. A series of nine strap-on solid rocket motors will help power the first stage. Because the Delta rocket is configured as a Delta II 7920 Heavy, the boosters are larger than those used on the standard configuration. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. Launch is currently planned for May 16 from Pad 17-B. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-08pd0862

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-03-27

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --- On Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, workers prepare to raise the solid rocket booster to a vertical position. When it has been raised, the booster will be lifted into the mobile service tower for mating with the Delta II rocket that will launch NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft. A series of nine strap-on solid rocket motors will help power the first stage. Because the Delta rocket is configured as a Delta II 7920 Heavy, the boosters are larger than those used on the standard configuration. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. Launch is currently planned for May 16 from Pad 17-B. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

Atlas Centaur Rocket With Reusable Booster Engines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Martin, James A.

1993-01-01

Proposed modification of Atlas Centaur enables reuse of booster engines. Includes replacement of current booster engines with engine of new design in which hydrogen used for both cooling and generation of power. Use of hydrogen in new engine eliminates coking and clogging and improves performance significantly. Primary advantages: reduction of cost; increased reliability; and increased payload.

A new one-man submarine is tested as vehicle for solid rocket booster retrieval

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

A mockup of a solid rocket booster nozzle is lowered into the waters of the Atlantic during a test of a new booster retrieval method. A one-man submarine known as DeepWorker 2000 is being tested on its ability to duplicate the sometimes hazardous job United Space Alliance (USA) divers perform to recover the expended boosters in the ocean after a launch. The boosters splash down in an impact area about 140 miles east of Jacksonville and after recovery are towed back to KSC for refurbishment by the specially rigged recovery ships. DeepWorker 2000 will be used in a demonstration during retrieval operations after the upcoming STS-101 launch. The submarine pilot will demonstrate capabilities to cut tangled parachute riser lines using a manipulator arm and attach a Diver Operator Plug to extract water and provide flotation for the booster. DeepWorker 2000 was built by Nuytco Research Ltd., North Vancouver, British Columbia. It is 8.25 feet long, 5.75 feet high, and weighs 3,800 pounds. USA is a prime contractor to NASA for the Space Shuttle program.

KSC-2011-5476

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-07-11

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Liberty Star, one of NASA’s solid rocket booster retrieval ships, tows a spent booster from space shuttle Atlantis’ final launch, to Port Canaveral in Florida. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff, and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be deserviced and stored, if needed. Atlantis began its final flight, STS-135, at 11:29 a.m. EDT on July 8 to deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies and spare parts to the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2011-1830

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-25

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Captain Michael Nicholas mans the helm of Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships, while John Fischbeck, Manager of Vessel Operations and Senior SRB Retrieval Supervisor, and Walt Adams, SRB Retrieval and Dive Supervisor, assist. The ship's crew members are recovering the left spent booster bobbing in the Atlantic Ocean from space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1810

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-24

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Chief Mate Jamie Harris works at the chart table on the bridge at night under a red light so as not to compromise night vision on Freedom Star, one of NASA's solid rocket booster retrieval ships plotting a course in the direction of the left spent booster that splashed down into the Atlantic Ocean after space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

KSC-2011-1890

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-02-28

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Solid Rocket Booster Retrieval Ship Freedom Star leaves the dock at Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and heads back to its home base at the Turn Basin at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The ship recently retrieved a booster that was used during space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 launch from Kennedy's Launch Pad 39A on Feb. 24. The shuttle’s two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by Liberty Star and Freedom Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the retrieval ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be refurbished and stored, if needed. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-08pd1088

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-05-01

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A near-empty Firing Room No. 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center is ready for the installation of racks of equipment. The firing room will support the future Ares rocket launches as part of the Constellation Program. Future astronauts will ride to orbit on Ares I, which uses a single five-segment solid rocket booster, a derivative of the space shuttle's solid rocket booster, for the first stage. Ares will be launched from Pad 39B, which is being reconfigured from supporting space shuttle launches. The Launch Control Center firing rooms face the launch pads. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-08pd1092

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-05-01

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Firing Room No. 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, a worker holds on to a cabinet being put together to hold equipment that will support the future Ares rocket launches as part of the Constellation Program. Future astronauts will ride to orbit on Ares I, which uses a single five-segment solid rocket booster, a derivative of the space shuttle's solid rocket booster, for the first stage. Ares will be launched from Pad 39B, which is being reconfigured from supporting space shuttle launches. The Launch Control Center firing rooms face the launch pads. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-08pd1089

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-05-01

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Firing Room No. 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, panels stretch across the floor in preparation for erecting equipment racks. The firing room will support the future Ares rocket launches as part of the Constellation Program. Future astronauts will ride to orbit on Ares I, which uses a single five-segment solid rocket booster, a derivative of the space shuttle's solid rocket booster, for the first stage. Ares will be launched from Pad 39B, which is being reconfigured from supporting space shuttle launches. The Launch Control Center firing rooms face the launch pads. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Stage separation study of Nike-Black Brant V Sounding Rocket System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ferragut, N. J.

1976-01-01

A new Sounding Rocket System has been developed. It consists of a Nike Booster and a Black Brant V Sustainer with slanted fins which extend beyond its nozzle exit plane. A cursory look was taken at different factors which must be considered when studying a passive separation system. That is, one separation system without mechanical constraints in the axial direction and which will allow separation due to drag differential accelerations between the Booster and the Sustainer. The equations of motion were derived for rigid body motions and exact solutions were obtained. The analysis developed could be applied to any other staging problem of a Sounding Rocket System.

Hyper-X Research Vehicle - Artist Concept Mounted on Pegasus Rocket Attached to B-52 Launch Aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1997-01-01

This artist's concept depicts the Hyper-X research vehicle riding on a booster rocket prior to being launched by the Dryden Flight Research Center's B-52 at about 40,000 feet. The X-43A was developed to flight test a dual-mode ramjet/scramjet propulsion system at speeds from Mach 7 up to Mach 10 (7 to 10 times the speed of sound, which varies with temperature and altitude). Hyper-X, the flight vehicle for which is designated as X-43A, is an experimental flight-research program seeking to demonstrate airframe-integrated, 'air-breathing' engine technologies that promise to increase payload capacity for future vehicles, including hypersonic aircraft (faster than Mach 5) and reusable space launchers. This multiyear program is currently underway at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. The Hyper-X schedule calls for its first flight later this year (2000). Hyper-X is a joint program, with Dryden sharing responsibility with NASA's Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia. Dryden's primary role is to fly three unpiloted X-43A research vehicles to validate engine technologies and hypersonic design tools as well as the hypersonic test facility at Langley. Langley manages the program and leads the technology development effort. The Hyper-X Program seeks to significantly expand the speed boundaries of air-breathing propulsion by being the first aircraft to demonstrate an airframe-integrated, scramjet-powered free flight. Scramjets (supersonic-combustion ramjets) are ramjet engines in which the airflow through the whole engine remains supersonic. Scramjet technology is challenging because only limited testing can be performed in ground facilities. Long duration, full-scale testing requires flight research. Scramjet engines are air-breathing, capturing their oxygen from the atmosphere. Current spacecraft, such as the Space Shuttle, are rocket powered, so they must carry both fuel and oxygen for propulsion. Scramjet technology-based vehicles need to carry only fuel. By eliminating the need to carry oxygen, future hypersonic vehicles will be able to carry heavier payloads. Another unique aspect of the X-43A vehicle is the airframe integration. The body of the vehicle itself forms critical elements of the engine. The forebody acts as part of the intake for airflow and the aft section serves as the nozzle. The X-43A vehicles were manufactured by Micro Craft, Inc., Tullahoma, Tennessee. Orbital Sciences Corporation, Chandler, Arizona, built the Pegasus rocket booster used to launch the X-43 vehicles. For the Dryden research flights, the Pegasus rocket booster and attached X-43 will be air launched by Dryden's B-52 'Mothership.' After release from the B-52, the booster will accelerate the X-43A vehicle to the established test conditions (Mach 7 to 10) at an altitude of approximately 100,000 feet where the X-43 will separate from the booster and fly under its own power and preprogrammed control.

Study of solid rocket motors for a space shuttle booster. Volume 2, book 1: Analysis and design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

An analysis of the factors which determined the selection of the solid rocket propellant engines for the space shuttle booster is presented. The 156 inch diameter, parallel burn engine was selected because of its transportability, cost effectiveness, and reliability. Other factors which caused favorable consideration are: (1) recovery and reuse are feasible and offer substantial cost savings, (2) abort can be easily accomplished. and (3) ecological effects are acceptable.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility stand a mockup of two segments of a solid rocket booster (SRB) being used to test the feasibility of a vertical SRB propellant grain inspection, required as part of safety analysis.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-09-11

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility stand a mockup of two segments of a solid rocket booster (SRB) being used to test the feasibility of a vertical SRB propellant grain inspection, required as part of safety analysis.

Palynological Investigation of Post-Flight Solid Rocket Booster Foreign Material

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nelson, Linda; Jarzen, David

2008-01-01

Investigations of foreign material in a drain tube, from the Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) of a recent Space Shuttle mission, was identified as pollen. The source of the pollen is from deposits made by bees, collecting pollen from plants found at the Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida. The pollen is determined to have been present in the frustum drain tubes before the shuttle flight. During the flight the pollen did not undergo thermal maturation.

Orion EM-1 Booster Preps - Aft Skirt Preps/Painting

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-10-29

The right hand aft skirt for NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket has been painted and is in a drying cell in a support building at the Hangar AF facility at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The space shuttle-era aft skirt will be used on the right hand booster of NASA's Space Launch System rocket for Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1). NASA is preparing for EM-1, deep space missions, and the Journey to Mars.

KSC-07pd3457

NASA Image and Video Library

2007-11-27

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Workers oversee the placement of a solid rocket booster segment onto a railroad car at the railroad yard at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The spent segment is part of the booster used to launch space shuttle Discovery in October. The segment will be placed on the car and covered for the long trip back to Utah. After a mission, the spent boosters are recovered, cleaned, disassembled, refurbished and reused after each launch. After hydrolasing the interior of each segment, they are placed on flatbed trucks. The individual booster segments are transferred to a railhead located at the railroad yard at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The long train of segments is part of the twin solid rocket boosters used to launch space shuttle Discovery in October. The NASA Railroad locomotive backs up the rail cars and the segment is lowered onto the car. The covered segments are moved to Titusville for interchange with Florida East Coast Railway to begin the trip back to Utah. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller

SRB Processing Facilities Media Event

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-03-01

Members of the news media watch as two cranes are used to lift one of two pathfinders, or test versions, of solid rocket booster segments for NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket into the vertical position inside the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The pathfinder booster segment will be moved to the other end of the RPSF and secured on a test stand. The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program and Jacobs Engineering, on the Test and Operations Support Contract, will prepare the booster segments, which are inert, for a series of lifts, moves and stacking operations to prepare for Exploration Mission-1, deep-space missions and the journey to Mars.

Booster Engine Service Platforms Delivered to VAB

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-04-17

A new service platform for NASA's Space Launch System booster engines, secured on a flatbed truck, is on its way to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), in view in the distance, at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It was transported from fabricator Met-Con Inc. in Cocoa, Florida. The platform will be delivered to the VAB, where it will be stored and used for processing and checkout of the engines for the rocket's twin five-segment solid rocket boosters for Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1). During EM-1, an uncrewed Orion spacecraft will launch on the SLS to a stable orbit beyond the Moon and return to Earth for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

Development of small solid rocket boosters for the ILR-33 sounding rocket

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nowakowski, Pawel; Okninski, Adam; Pakosz, Michal; Cieslinski, Dawid; Bartkowiak, Bartosz; Wolanski, Piotr

2017-09-01

This paper gives an overview of the development of a 6000 Newton-class solid rocket motor for suborbital applications. The design configuration and results of interior ballistics calculations are given. The initial use of the motor as the main propulsion system of the H1 experimental in-flight test platform, within the Polish Small Sounding Rocket Program, is presented. Comparisons of theoretical and experimental performance are shown. Both on-ground and in-flight tests are discussed. A novel composite-case manufacturing technology, which enabled to reach high propellant mass fractions, was validated and significant cost-reductions were achieved. This paper focuses on the process of adapting the design for use as the booster stage of the ILR-33 sounding rocket, under development at the Institute of Aviation in Warsaw, Poland. Parallel use of two of the flight-proven rocket motors along with the main stage is planned. The process of adapting the rocket motor for booster application consists of stage integration, aerothermodynamics and reliability analyses. The separation mechanism and environmental impact are also discussed within this paper. Detailed performance analysis with focus on propellant grain geometry is provided. The evolution of the design since the first flights of the H1 rocket is covered and modifications of the manufacturing process are described. Issues of simultaneous ignition of two motors and their non-identical performance are discussed. Further applications and potential for future development are outlined. The presented results are based on the initial work done by the Rocketry Group of the Warsaw University of Technology Students' Space Association. The continuation of the Polish Small Sounding Rocket Program on a larger scale at the Institute of Aviation proves the value of the outcomes of the initial educational project.

KSC-98pc1825

NASA Image and Video Library

1998-12-02

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- On Pad 17B, Cape Canaveral Air Station, a solid rocket booster hangs in place between two other rocket boosters waiting to be mated with the Delta II rocket carrying the Mars Polar Lander. The rocket will be used to launch the Mars Polar Lander on Jan. 3, 1999. The lander is a solar-powered spacecraft designed to touch down on the Martian surface near the northern-most boundary of the south pole in order to study the water cycle there. The lander also will help scientists learn more about climate change and current resources on Mars, studying such things as frost, dust, water vapor and condensates in the Martian atmosphere. It is the second spacecraft to be launched in a pair of Mars '98 missions. The first is the Mars Climate Orbiter, to be launched aboard a Delta II rocket from Launch Complex 17A in December 1998

KSC-06pd1505

NASA Image and Video Library

2006-07-06

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At the dock at Hangar AF, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, workers move the spent solid rocket booster away from the SRB Retrieval Ship Liberty Star to an area beneath the straddle crane that will lift it out of the water. The booster is from Space Shuttle Discovery, which launched on July 4. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about 6 by 9 nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and ,after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

KSC-06pd1504

NASA Image and Video Library

2006-07-06

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At the dock at Hangar AF, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, workers move the spent solid rocket booster away from the SRB Retrieval Ship Liberty Star to an area beneath the straddle crane that will lift it out of the water. The booster is from Space Shuttle Discovery, which launched on July 4. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about 6 by 9 nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and ,after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/George Shelton

KSC-08pd3736

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-11-19

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the dock at Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, workers prepare to move the spent solid rocket booster to the hangar for the safing process. It will be driven through the washing bay for a cleaning and rinsing. The booster is from space shuttle Endeavour, which launched Nov. 14 on the STS-126 mission. The space shuttle’s solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered at sea. The boosters impact the Atlantic Ocean approximately seven minutes after liftoff. The splashdown area is a square of about six by nine nautical miles located about 140 nautical miles downrange from the launch pad. The retrieval ships are stationed approximately 8 to 10 nautical miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. As soon as the boosters enter the water, the ships accelerate to a speed of 15 knots and quickly close on the boosters. The pilot chutes and main parachutes are the first items to be brought on board. With the chutes and frustum recovered, attention turns to the boosters. The ship’s tow line is connected and the booster is returned to the Port and, after transfer to a position alongside the ship, to Hangar AF. There, the expended boosters are disassembled, refurbished and reloaded with solid propellant for reuse. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Early Program Development

NASA Image and Video Library

1989-01-01

This 1989 artist's rendering shows how a Shuttle-C would look during launch. As envisioned by Marshall Space Flight Center plarners, the Shuttle-C would be an unmanned heavy-lift cargo vehicle derived from Space Shuttle elements. The vehicle would utilize the basic Shuttle propulsion units (Solid Rocket Boosters, Space Shuttle Main Engine, External Tank), but would replace the Orbiter with an unmanned Shuttle-C Cargo Element (SCE). The SCE would have a payload bay lenght of eighty-two feet, compared to sixty feet for the Orbiter cargo bay, and would be able to deliver 170,000 pound payloads to low Earth orbit, more than three times the Orbiter's capacity.

Early Program Development

NASA Image and Video Library

1989-01-01

In this 1989 artist's concept, the Shuttle-C floats in space with its cargo bay doors open. As envisioned by Marshall Space Flight Center plarners, the Shuttle-C would be an unmanned heavy lift cargo vehicle derived from Space Shuttle elements. The vehicle would utilize the basic Shuttle propulsion units (Solid Rocket Boosters, Space Shuttle Main Engine, External Tank), but would replace the Oribiter with an unmanned Shuttle-C Cargo Element (SCE). The SCE would have a payload bay length of eighty-two feet, compared to sixty feet for the Orbiter cargo bay, and would be able to deliver 170,000 pound payloads to low Earth orbit, more than three times the Orbiter's capacity.

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Launch Complex 39, Solid Rocket ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Launch Complex 39, Solid Rocket Booster Disassembly & Refurbishment Complex, Thrust Vector Control Deservicing Facility, Hangar Road, Cape Canaveral, Brevard County, FL

Next generation solid boosters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lund, R. K.

1991-01-01

Space transportation solid rocket motor systems; Shuttle derived heavy lift launch vehicles; advanced launch system (ALS) derived heavy lift launch vehicles; large launch solid booster vehicles are outlined. Performance capabilities and concept objectives are presented. Small launch vehicle concepts; enabling technologies; reusable flyback booster system; and high-performance solid motors for space are briefly described. This presentation is represented by viewgraphs.

The X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus booster rocket recently underwent c

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

The first of three X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus booster rocket recently underwent combined systems testing while mounted to NASA's NB-52B carrier aircraft at the Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif. The combined systems test was one of the last major milestones in the Hyper-X research program before the first X-43A flight. The X-43A flights will be the first actual flight tests of an aircraft powered by a revolutionary supersonic-combustion ramjet ('scramjet') engine capable of operating at hypersonic speeds (above Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound). The 12-foot, unpiloted research vehicle was developed and built by MicroCraft Inc., Tullahoma, Tenn., under NASA contract. The booster was built by Orbital Sciences Corp., Dulles, Va.,After being air-launched from NASA's venerable NB-52 mothership, the booster will accelerate the X-43A to test speed and altitude. The X-43A will then separate from the rocket and fly a pre-programmed trajectory, conducting aerodynamic and propulsion experiments until it descends into the Pacific Ocean. Three research flights are planned, two at Mach 7 and one at Mach 10.

The X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus booster rocket nestled under the wi

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

The X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus booster rocket are nestled under the wing of NASA's NB-52B carrier aircraft during pre-flight systems testing at the Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif. The combined systems test was one of the last major milestones in the Hyper-X research program before the first X-43A flight. The X-43A flights will be the first actual flight tests of an aircraft powered by a revolutionary supersonic-combustion ramjet ('scramjet') engine capable of operating at hypersonic speeds (above Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound). The 12-foot, unpiloted research vehicle was developed and built by MicroCraft Inc., Tullahoma, Tenn., under NASA contract. The booster was built by Orbital Sciences Corp., Dulles, Va. After being air-launched from NASA's venerable NB-52 mothership, the booster will accelerate the X-43A to test speed and altitude. The X-43A will then separate from the rocket and fly a pre-programmed trajectory, conducting aerodynamic and propulsion experiments until it descends into the Pacific Ocean. Three research flights are planned, two at Mach 7 and one at Mach 10.

A modified Pegasus rocket drops steadily away after release from NASA's B-52B, before accelerating the X-43A over the Pacific Ocean on March 27, 2004

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-03-27

The second X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus booster rocket drop away from NASA's B-52B launch aircraft over the Pacific Ocean on March 27, 2004. The mission originated from the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Moments later the Pegasus booster ignited to accelerate the X-43A to its intended speed of Mach 7.

A modified Pegasus rocket drops away after release from NASA's B-52B before accelerating the X-43A over a Pacific Ocean test range on Nov. 16, 2004

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-11-16

The third X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus booster rocket drop away from NASA's B-52B launch aircraft over the Pacific Ocean on November 16, 2004. The mission originated from the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Moments later the Pegasus booster ignited to accelerate the X-43A to its intended speed of Mach 10.

Engineering design manual of parachute decelerator characteristics for space shuttle solid rocket booster recovery

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mansfield, D. L.

1973-01-01

The design criteria and characteristics of parachutes for recovery of the solid rocket boosters used with the space shuttle launch are presented. A computer program for analyzing the requirements of the parachute decelerators is described. The computer inputs for both the drogue and main parachute decelerators are; (1) parachute size, (2) deployment conditions, (3) inflation times, (4) reefing times, (5) mass properties, (6) spring properties, and (7) aerodynamic coefficients. Graphs of the parachute performance are included.

Space shuttle program solid rocket booster decelerator subsystem

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barnard, J. W.

1985-01-01

The recovery of the Solid Rocket Boosters presented a major challenge. The SRB represents the largest payload ever recovered and presents the added complication that it is continually emitting hot gases and burning particles of insulation and other debris. Some items, such as portions of the nozzle, are large enough to burn through the nylon parachute material. The SRB Decelerator Subsystem program was highly successful in that no SRB has been lost as a result of inadequate performance of the DSS.

Polarimetry Studies of Ionospheric Modification by Rocket boosters.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-05-27

Chemical Releases Polarimetry Studies Rocket Booster Effects Faraday Rotation 20. ABSTRACT (Coniros an ,Oer* e side It necessary and Identify by block...1112 InL I X (I _ Tl : YI) Rijl I ± ,2 for the radiowave whose electric field is given by E - E ,(z) exp ( w) + c.c. - i + Ej (2) 3 REILLY, |tARNISH, AND...has a simple phasor represen- ta "n through the definition F - E , +j E ,. (3) The linearly polarized radiowave is represented in terms of the

Aft Skirt Move from Hangar AF to BFF

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-09-08

The left hand aft skirt for NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket arrives at the Booster Fabrication Facility at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, from the Hangar AF facility at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The space shuttle-era aft skirt, was inspected, resurfaced, primed and painted for use on the left hand booster of the SLS rocket for Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1). NASA is preparing for EM-1, deep-space missions, and the journey to Mars.

Study of solid rocket motor for space shuttle booster, volume 2, book 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

The technical requirements for the solid propellant rocket engine to be used with the space shuttle orbiter are presented. The subjects discussed are: (1) propulsion system definition, (2) solid rocket engine stage design, (3) solid rocket engine stage recovery, (4) environmental effects, (5) manrating of the solid rocket engine stage, (6) system safety analysis, and (7) ground support equipment.

The aerodynamic challenges of SRB recovery

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bacchus, D. L.; Kross, D. A.; Moog, R. D.

1985-01-01

Recovery and reuse of the Space Shuttle solid rocket boosters was baselined to support the primary goal to develop a low cost space transportation system. The recovery system required for the 170,000-lb boosters was for the largest and heaviest object yet to be retrieved from exoatmospheric conditions. State-of-the-art design procedures were ground-ruled and development testing minimized to produce both a reliable and cost effective system. The ability to utilize the inherent drag of the boosters during the initial phase of reentry was a key factor in minimizing the parachute loads, size and weight. A wind tunnel test program was devised to enable the accurate prediction of booster aerodynamic characteristics. Concurrently, wind tunnel, rocket sled and air drop tests were performed to develop and verify the performance of the parachute decelerator subsystem. Aerodynamic problems encountered during the overall recovery system development and the respective solutions are emphasized.

Study of solid rocket motor for space shuttle booster, volume 2, book 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

A technical analysis of the solid propellant rocket engines for use with the space shuttle is presented. The subjects discussed are: (1) solid rocket motor stage recovery, (2) environmental effects, (3) man rating of the solid propellant rocket engines, (4) system safety analysis, (5) ground support equipment, and (6) transportation, assembly, and checkout.

Space Shuttle Projects

NASA Image and Video Library

1975-01-01

As early as September 1972, the Marshall Space Flight Center arnounced plans for a series of 20 water-entry simulation tests with a solid-fueled rocket casing assembly. The tests would provide valuable data for assessment of solid rocket booster parachute water recovery and aid in preliminary solid rocket motor design.

Vehicle Support Posts Installation onto Mobile Launcher

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-05-11

Four vehicle support posts have been installed on the deck of the mobile launcher at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A total of eight support posts will be installed to support the load of the Space Launch System's (SLS) solid rocket boosters, with four posts for each of the boosters. The support posts are about five feet tall and each weigh about 10,000 pounds. The posts will structurally support the SLS rocket through T-0 and liftoff, and will drop down before vehicle liftoff to avoid contact with the flight hardware. The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is overseeing installation of the support posts to prepare for the launch of the Orion spacecraft atop the SLS rocket.

Reentry static stability characteristics of a (Model 471) .005479-scale 146-inch solid rocket booster tested in the NASA/MSFC 14 by 14 inch TWT (SA8F)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, J. D.; Braddock, W. F.; Praharaj, S. C.

1975-01-01

A force test of a scale model of the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster was conducted in a trisonic wind tunnel. The model was tested with such protuberances as a camera capsule, electrical tunnel, attach rings, aft separation rockets, ET attachment structure, and hold-down struts. The model was also tested with the nozzle at gimbal angles of 0, 2.5, and 5 degrees. The influence of a unique heat shield configuration was also determined. Some photographs of model installations in the tunnel were taken and are included. Schlieren photography was utilized for several angles of attack.

Graphics enhanced computer emulation for improved timing-race and fault tolerance control system analysis. [of Centaur liquid-fuel booster

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Szatkowski, G. P.

1983-01-01

A computer simulation system has been developed for the Space Shuttle's advanced Centaur liquid fuel booster rocket, in order to conduct systems safety verification and flight operations training. This simulation utility is designed to analyze functional system behavior by integrating control avionics with mechanical and fluid elements, and is able to emulate any system operation, from simple relay logic to complex VLSI components, with wire-by-wire detail. A novel graphics data entry system offers a pseudo-wire wrap data base that can be easily updated. Visual subsystem operations can be selected and displayed in color on a six-monitor graphics processor. System timing and fault verification analyses are conducted by injecting component fault modes and min/max timing delays, and then observing system operation through a red line monitor.

KSC-2009-6025

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-10-30

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The solid rocket booster recovery ship Freedom Star, towing the spent first stage of NASA's Ares I-X rocket, traverses the Banana River along the shore of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Across the river, in the background, is the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Following the launch of the Ares I-X flight test, the booster splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean and was recovered. Liftoff of the 6-minute flight test was at 11:30 a.m. EDT Oct. 28. This was the first launch from Kennedy's pads of a vehicle other than the space shuttle since the Apollo Program's Saturn rockets were retired. The parts used to make the Ares I-X booster flew on 30 different shuttle missions ranging from STS-29 in 1989 to STS-106 in 2000. The data returned from more than 700 sensors throughout the rocket will be used to refine the design of future launch vehicles and bring NASA one step closer to reaching its exploration goals. For information on the Ares I-X vehicle and flight test, visit http://www.nasa.gov/aresIX. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Hybrid Propulsion Technology Program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jensen, G. E.; Holzman, A. L.

1990-01-01

Future launch systems of the United States will require improvements in booster safety, reliability, and cost. In order to increase payload capabilities, performance improvements are also desirable. The hybrid rocket motor (HRM) offers the potential for improvements in all of these areas. The designs are presented for two sizes of hybrid boosters, a large 4.57 m (180 in.) diameter booster duplicating the Advanced Solid Rocket Motor (ASRM) vacuum thrust-time profile and smaller 2.44 m (96 in.), one-quater thrust level booster. The large booster would be used in tandem, while eight small boosters would be used to achieve the same total thrust. These preliminary designs were generated as part of the NASA Hybrid Propulsion Technology Program. This program is the first phase of an eventual three-phaes program culminating in the demonstration of a large subscale engine. The initial trade and sizing studies resulted in preferred motor diameters, operating pressures, nozzle geometry, and fuel grain systems for both the large and small boosters. The data were then used for specific performance predictions in terms of payload and the definition and selection of the requirements for the major components: the oxidizer feed system, nozzle, and thrust vector system. All of the parametric studies were performed using realistic fuel regression models based upon specific experimental data.

SLS Pathfinder Segments Car Train Departure

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-03-02

An Iowa Northern locomotive, contracted by Goodloe Transportation of Chicago, departs from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with two containers on railcars for transport to the Jay Jay railroad yard. The containers held two pathfinders, or test versions, of solid rocket booster segments for NASA’s Space Launch System rocket that were delivered to the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility (RPSF). Inside the RPSF, the Ground Systems Development and Operations Program and Jacobs Engineering, on the Test and Operations Support Contract, will conduct a series of lifts, moves and stacking operations using the booster segments, which are inert, to prepare for Exploration Mission-1, deep-space missions and the journey to Mars. The pathfinder booster segments are from Orbital ATK in Utah.

Liquid Rocket Booster (LRB) for the Space Transportation System (STS) systems study. Volume 2: Addendum 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

The potential of a common Liquid Rocket Booster (LRB) design was evaluated for use with both the Space Transportation System (STS) and the Advanced Launch System (ALS). A goal is to have a common Liquid Oxygen/Liquid Hydrogen (LO2/LH2) engine developed for both the ALS booster and the core stage. The LO2/LH2 option for the STS was evaluated to identify potential LRB program cost reductions. The objective was to identify the structural impacts to the external tank (ET), and to determine if any significant ET re-development costs are required as a result of the larger LO2/LH2 LRB. The potential ET impacts evaluated are presented.

SLS Pathfinder Segments Car Train Departure

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-03-02

An Iowa Northern locomotive, contracted by Goodloe Transportation of Chicago, departs from the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility (RPSF) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with two containers on railcars for transport to the NASA Jay Jay railroad yard. The containers held two pathfinders, or test versions, of solid rocket booster segments for NASA’s Space Launch System rocket that were delivered to the RPSF. Inside the RPSF, the Ground Systems Development and Operations Program and Jacobs Engineering, on the Test and Operations Support Contract, will conduct a series of lifts, moves and stacking operations using the booster segments, which are inert, to prepare for Exploration Mission-1, deep-space missions and the journey to Mars. The pathfinder booster segments are from Orbital ATK in Utah.

Long-term/strategic scenario for reusable booster stages

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sippel, Martin; Manfletti, Chiara; Burkhardt, Holger

2006-02-01

This paper describes the final design status of a partially reusable space transportation system which has been under study for five years within the German future launcher technology research program ASTRA. It consists of dual booster stages, which are attached to an advanced expendable core. The design of the reference liquid fly-back boosters (LFBB) is focused on LOX/LH2 propellant and a future advanced gas-generator cycle rocket motor. The preliminary design study was performed in close cooperation between DLR and the German space industry. The paper's first part describes recent progress in the design of this reusable booster stage. The second part of the paper assesses a long-term, strategic scenario of the reusable stage's operation. The general idea is the gradual evolution of the above mentioned basic fly-back booster vehicle into three space transportation systems performing different tasks: Reusable First Stage for a small launcher application, successive development to a fully reusable TSTO, and booster for a super-heavy-lift rocket to support an ambitious space flight program like manned Mars missions. The assessment addresses questions of technical sanity, preliminary sizing and performance issues and, where applicable, examines alternative options.

Space Shuttle Project

NASA Image and Video Library

1978-01-18

Pictured is an early testing of the Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) at the Thiokol facility in Utah. The SRMs later became known as Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) as they were more frequently used on the Space Shuttles.

Results of wind tunnel tests of an ASRM configured 0.03 scale Space Shuttle integrated vehicle model (47-OTS) in the AEDC 16-foot transonic wind tunnel, volume 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marroquin, J.; Lemoine, P.

1992-01-01

An experimental Aerodynamic and Aero-Acoustic loads data base was obtained at transonic Mach numbers for the Space Shuttle Launch Vehicle configured with the ASRM Solid Rocket Boosters as an increment to the current flight configuration (RSRB). These data were obtained during transonic wind tunnel tests (IA 613A) conducted in the Arnold Engineering Development Center 16-Foot transonic propulsion wind tunnel from March 27, 1991 through April 12, 1991. This test is the first of a series of two tests covering the Mach range from 0.6 to 3.5. Steady state surface static and fluctuating pressure distributions over the Orbiter, External Tank and Solid Rocket Boosters of the Shuttle Integrated Vehicle were measured. Total Orbiter forces, Wing forces and Elevon hinge moments were directly measured as well from force balances. Two configurations of Solid Rocket Boosters were tested, the Redesigned Solid Rocket Booster (RSRB) and the Advanced Solid Rocket Motor (ASRM). The effects of the position (i.e., top, bottom, top and bottom) of the Integrated Electronics Assembly (IEA) box, mounted on the SRB attach ring, were obtained on the ASRM configured model. These data were obtained with and without Solid Plume Simulators which, when used, matched as close as possible the flight derived pressures on the Orbiter and External Tank base. Data were obtained at Mach numbers ranging from 0.6 to 1.55 at a Unit Reynolds Number of 2.5 million per foot through model angles of attack from -8 to +4 degrees at sideslip angles of 0, +4 and -4 degrees.

Results of wind tunnel tests of an ASRM configured 0.03 scale Space Shuttle integrated vehicle model (47-OTS) in the AEDC 16-foot Transonic wind tunnel (IA613A), volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marroquin, J.; Lemoine, P.

1992-01-01

An experimental Aerodynamic and Aero-Acoustic loads data base was obtained at transonic Mach numbers for the Space Shuttle Launch Vehicle configured with the ASRM Solid Rocket Boosters as an increment to the current flight configuration (RSRB). These data were obtained during transonic wind tunnel tests (IA 613A) conducted in the Arnold Engineering Development Center 16-Foot transonic propulsion wind tunnel from March 27, 1991 through April 12, 1991. This test is the first of a series of two tests covering the Mach range from 0.6 to 3.5. Steady state surface static and fluctuating pressure distributions over the Orbiter, External Tank and Solid Rocket Boosters of the Shuttle Integrated Vehicle were measured. Total Orbiter forces, Wing forces and Elevon hinge moments were directly measured as well from force balances. Two configurations of Solid Rocket Boosters were tested, the Redesigned Solid Rocket Booster (RSRB) and the Advanced Solid Rocket Motor (ASRM). The effects of the position (i.e. top, bottom, top and bottom) of the Integrated Electronics Assembly (IEA) box, mounted on the SRB attach ring, were obtained on the ASRM configured model. These data were obtained with and without Solid Plume Simulators which, when used, matched as close as possible the flight derived pressures on the Orbiter and External Tank base. Data were obtained at Mach numbers ranging from 0.6 to 1.55 at a Unit Reynolds Number of 2.5 million per foot through model angles of attack from -8 to +4 degrees at sideslip angles of 0, +4 and -4 degrees.

Comparisons Between Stability Prediction and Measurements for the Reusable Solid Rocket Motor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fischbach, Sean R.; Kenny, R. Jeremy

2010-01-01

The Space Transportation System has used the solid rocket boosters for lift-off and ascent propulsion over the history of the program. Part of the structural loads assessment of the assembled vehicle is the contribution due to solid rocket booster thrust oscillations. These thrust oscillations are a consequence of internal motor pressure oscillations active during operation. Understanding of these pressure oscillations is key to predicting the subsequent thrust oscillations and vehicle loading. The pressure oscillation characteristics of the Reusable Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM) design are reviewed in this work. Dynamic pressure data from the static test and flight history are shown, with emphasis on amplitude, frequency, and timing of the oscillations. Physical mechanisms that cause these oscillations are described by comparing data observations to predictions made by the Solid Stability Prediction (SSP) code.

General view of a Solid Rocket Motor Forward Segment in ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

General view of a Solid Rocket Motor Forward Segment in the process of being offloaded from it's railcar inside the Rotation Processing and Surge Facility at Kennedy Space Center. - Space Transportation System, Solid Rocket Boosters, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Harris County, TX

The Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel(UPWT) Test 1891 Space Launch System

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-10-15

Stage Separation Test of the Space Launch System(SLS) in the Langley Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel (UPWT). The model used High Pressure air blown through the solid rocket boosters. (SRB) to simulate the booster separation motors (BSM) firing.

The Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel(UPWT) Test 1891 Space Launch System

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-10-14

Stage Separation Test of the Space Launch System(SLS) in the Langley Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel (UPWT). The model used High Pressure air blown through the solid rocket boosters. (SRB) to simulate the booster separation motors (BSM) firing.

Space Shuttle Projects

NASA Image and Video Library

1976-01-01

This image illustrates the solid rocket motor (SRM)/solid rocket booster (SRB) configuration. The Shuttle's two SRB's are the largest solids ever built and the first designed for refurbishment and reuse. Standing nearly 150-feet high, the twin boosters provide the majority of thrust for the first two minutes of flight, about 5.8 million pounds, augmenting the Shuttle's main propulsion system during liftoff. The major design drivers for the SRM's were high thrust and reuse. The desired thrust was achieved by using state-of-the-art solid propellant and by using a long cylindrical motor with a specific core design that allows the propellant to burn in a carefully controlled marner. At burnout, the boosters separate from the external tank and drop by parachute to the ocean for recovery and subsequent refurbishment. The boosters are designed to survive water impact at almost 60 miles per hour, maintain flotation with minimal damage, and preclude corrosion of the hardware exposed to the harsh seawater environment. Under the project management of the Marshall Space Flight Center, the SRB's are assembled and refurbished by the United Space Boosters. The SRM's are provided by the Morton Thiokol Corporation.

A new one-man submarine is tested as vehicle for solid rocket booster retrieval

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

The one-man submarine dubbed DeepWorker 2000 sits on the deck of Liberty Star, one of two KSC solid rocket booster recovery ships. The sub is being tested on its ability to duplicate the sometimes hazardous job United Space Alliance (USA) divers perform to recover the expended boosters in the ocean after a launch. The boosters splash down in an impact area about 140 miles east of Jacksonville and after recovery are towed back to KSC for refurbishment by the specially rigged recovery ships. DeepWorker 2000 will be used in a demonstration during retrieval operations after the upcoming STS-101 launch. The submarine pilot will demonstrate capabilities to cut tangled parachute riser lines using a manipulator arm and attach a Diver Operator Plug to extract water and provide flotation for the booster. DeepWorker 2000 was built by Nuytco Research Ltd., North Vancouver, British Columbia. It is 8.25 feet long, 5.75 feet high, and weighs 3,800 pounds. USA is a prime contractor to NASA for the Space Shuttle program.

A new one-man submarine is tested as vehicle for solid rocket booster retrieval

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

From the deck of Liberty Star, one of two KSC solid rocket booster recovery ships, a crane lowers a one-man submarine into the ocean near Cape Canaveral, Fla. Called DeepWorker 2000, the sub is being tested on its ability to duplicate the sometimes hazardous job United Space Alliance (USA) divers perform to recover the expended boosters in the ocean after a launch. The boosters splash down in an impact area about 140 miles east of Jacksonville and after recovery are towed back to KSC for refurbishment by the specially rigged recovery ships. DeepWorker 2000 will be used in a demonstration during retrieval operations after the upcoming STS-101 launch. The submarine pilot will demonstrate capabilities to cut tangled parachute riser lines using a manipulator arm and attach a Diver Operator Plug to extract water and provide flotation for the booster. DeepWorker 2000 was built by Nuytco Research Ltd., North Vancouver, British Columbia. It is 8.25 feet long, 5.75 feet high, and weighs 3,800 pounds. USA is a prime contractor to NASA for the Space Shuttle program.

Hybrid propulsion technology program. Volume 2: Technology definition package

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jensen, Gordon E.; Holzman, Allen L.; Leisch, Steven O.; Keilbach, Joseph; Parsley, Randy; Humphrey, John

1989-01-01

A concept design study was performed to configure two sizes of hybrid boosters; one which duplicates the advanced shuttle rocket motor vacuum thrust time curve and a smaller, quarter thrust level booster. Two sizes of hybrid boosters were configured for either pump-fed or pressure-fed oxygen feed systems. Performance analyses show improved payload capability relative to a solid propellant booster. Size optimization and fuel safety considerations resulted in a 4.57 m (180 inch) diameter large booster with an inert hydrocarbon fuel. The preferred diameter for the quarter thrust level booster is 2.53 m (96 inches). The demonstration plan would culminate with test firings of a 3.05 m (120 inch) diameter hybrid booster.

Space transportation booster engine configuration study. Volume 1: Executive Summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

The objective of the Space Transportation Booster Engine (STBE) Configuration Study is to contribute to the Advanced Launch System (ALS) development effort by providing highly reliable, low cost booster engine concepts for both expendable and reusable rocket engines. The objectives of the Space Transportation Booster Engine (STBE) Configuration Study were to identify engine configurations which enhance vehicle performance and provide operational flexibility at low cost, and to explore innovative approaches to the follow-on full-scale development (FSD) phase for the STBE.

Early Rockets

NASA Image and Video Library

1955-09-01

Launch of a three-stage Vanguard (SLV-7) from Cape Canaveral, Florida, September 18, 1959. Designated Vanguard III, the 100-pound satellite was used to study the magnetic field and radiation belt. In September 1955, the Department of Defense recommended and authorized the new program, known as Project Vanguard, to launch Vanguard booster to carry an upper atmosphere research satellite in orbit. The Vanguard vehicles were used in conjunction with later booster vehicle such as the Thor and Atlas, and the technique of gimbaled (movable) engines for directional control was adapted to other rockets.

Aerodynamic results of wind tunnel tests on a 0.010-scale model (32-QTS) space shuttle integrated vehicle in the AEDC VKF-40-inch supersonic wind tunnel (IA61)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Daileda, J. J.

1976-01-01

Plotted and tabulated aerodynamic coefficient data from a wind tunnel test of the integrated space shuttle vehicle are presented. The primary test objective was to determine proximity force and moment data for the orbiter/external tank and solid rocket booster (SRB) with and without separation rockets firing for both single and dual booster runs. Data were obtained at three points (t = 0, 1.25, and 2.0 seconds) on the nominal SRB separation trajectory.

A modified Pegasus rocket ignites moments after release from the B-52B, beginning the acceleration of the X-43A over the Pacific Ocean on Nov. 16, 2004

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-11-16

The third X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus booster rocket accelerate after launch from NASA's B-52B launch aircraft over the Pacific Ocean on November 16, 2004. The mission originated from the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Minutes later the X-43A separated from the Pegasus booster and accelerated to its intended speed of Mach 10.

NASA's B-52B launch aircraft takes off carrying the second X-43A hypersonic research vehicle attached to a modified Pegasus rocket, on March 27, 2004

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-03-27

The second X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus booster rocket left the runway, carried aloft by NASA's B-52B launch aircraft from the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., on March 27, 2004. About an hour later the Pegasus booster was launched from the B-52 to accelerate the X-43A to its intended speed of Mach 7.

NASA's B-52B launch aircraft takes off carrying the third X-43A hypersonic research vehicle attached to a modified Pegasus rocket, on November 16, 2004

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-11-16

The third X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus booster rocket left the runway, carried aloft by NASA's B-52B launch aircraft from the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on November 16, 2004. About an hour later the Pegasus booster was launched from the B-52 to accelerate the X-43A to its intended speed of Mach 10.

NASA's B-52B launch aircraft cruises to a test range over the Pacific Ocean carrying the third X-43A vehicle attached to a Pegasus rocket on November 16, 2004

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-11-16

The third X-43A hypersonic research aircraft, attached to a modified Pegasus booster rocket, was taken to launch altitude by NASA's B-52B launch aircraft from the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on November 16, 2004. About an hour later the Pegasus booster was released from the B-52 to accelerate the X-43A to its intended speed of Mach 10.

The black X-43A rides on the front of a modified Pegasus booster rocket hung from the special pylon under the wing of NASA's B-52B mother ship. The photo was taken during a captive carry flight Jan. 26, 2004 to verify systems before an upcoming launch

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-01-26

The black X-43A rides on the front of a modified Pegasus booster rocket hung from the special pylon under the wing of NASA's B-52B mother ship. The photo was taken during a captive carry flight Jan. 26, 2004 to verify systems before an upcoming launch.

SRB Processing Facilities Media Event

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-03-01

At the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility (RPSF) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, members of the news media photograph the process as cranes are used to lift one of two pathfinders, or test versions, of solid rocket booster segments for NASA’s Space Launch System rocket. The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program and Jacobs Engineering, on the Test and Operations Support Contract, are preparing the booster segments, which are inert, for a series of lifts, moves and stacking operations to prepare for Exploration Mission-1, deep-space missions and the journey to Mars.

SRB Processing Facilities Media Event

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-03-01

At the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility (RPSF) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, members of the news media watch as cranes are used to lift one of two pathfinders, or test versions, of solid rocket booster segments for NASA’s Space Launch System rocket. The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program and Jacobs Engineering, on the Test and Operations Support Contract, are preparing the booster segments, which are inert, for a series of lifts, moves and stacking operations to prepare for Exploration Mission-1, deep-space missions and the journey to Mars.

KSC-2009-2710

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-04-16

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On Launch Complex 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, solid rocket boosters are lifted into the mobile service tower. The boosters will be attached to the Delta II rocket that will launch the STSS Demonstrator spacecraft. The STSS Demonstrators is a midcourse tracking technology demonstrator and is part of an evolving ballistic missile defense system. STSS is capable of tracking objects after boost phase and provides trajectory information to other sensors. It will be launched by NASA for the Missile Defense Agency on July 29. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2009-2709

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-04-16

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On Launch Complex 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, solid rocket boosters are lifted into the mobile service tower. The boosters will be attached to the Delta II rocket that will launch the STSS Demonstrator spacecraft. The STSS Demonstrators is a midcourse tracking technology demonstrator and is part of an evolving ballistic missile defense system. STSS is capable of tracking objects after boost phase and provides trajectory information to other sensors. It will be launched by NASA for the Missile Defense Agency on July 29. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Aft Skirt Move from Hangar AF to BFF

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-09-08

The left hand aft skirt for NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket arrives at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, from the Hangar AF facility at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The aft skirt will be transported to the Booster Fabrication Facility. The space shuttle-era aft skirt, was inspected, resurfaced, primed and painted for use on the left hand booster of the SLS rocket for Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1). NASA is preparing for EM-1, deep-space missions, and the journey to Mars.

Aft Skirt Move from Hangar AF to BFF

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-09-08

The left hand aft skirt for NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket is transported across the Roy D. Bridges Bridge from the Hangar AF facility at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, on its way to the Booster Fabrication Facility at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center. The space shuttle-era aft skirt, was inspected, resurfaced, primed and painted for use on the left hand booster of the SLS rocket for Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1). NASA is preparing for EM-1, deep-space missions, and the journey to Mars.

Study of solid rocket motors for a space shuttle booster. Appendix C: Recovery and reuse 120-inch diameter solid rocket motor boosters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

A baseline for a space shuttle configuration utilizing four parallel-burn 120-in. diameter SRMS is presented. Topics discussed include parachute system sequence, recovery system development profile, parachute container, and segment and closure recovery operations. A cost analysis for recovery of the SRM stage is presented. It is concluded that from the standpoint of minimum cost and development, parachutes are the best means of achieving SRM recovery. Major SRM components can be reused safely.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - A camera is installed on the aft skirt of a solid rocket booster in preparation for a vibration test of the Mobile Launcher Platform with SRBs and external tank mounted. The MLP will roll from one bay to another in the Vehicle Assembly Building.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-11-06

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - A camera is installed on the aft skirt of a solid rocket booster in preparation for a vibration test of the Mobile Launcher Platform with SRBs and external tank mounted. The MLP will roll from one bay to another in the Vehicle Assembly Building.

KSC-2009-1386

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-12-04

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Another solid rocket booster arrives on Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The booster will be lifted into the service tower and installed on the Delta II rocket for the NOAA-N Prime satellite. NOAA-N Prime is the latest polar-orbiting operational environmental weather satellite developed by NASA for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It is built by Lockheed Martin and similar to NOAA-N launched on May 20, 2005. Launch of NOAA-N Prime is scheduled for Feb. 4. Photo credit: NASA/Joe Davila, VAFB

KSC-2009-1383

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-12-04

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – A solid rocket booster arrives on Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The booster will be lifted into the service tower and installed on the Delta II rocket for the NOAA-N Prime satellite. NOAA-N Prime is the latest polar-orbiting operational environmental weather satellite developed by NASA for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It is built by Lockheed Martin and similar to NOAA-N launched on May 20, 2005. Launch of NOAA-N Prime is scheduled for Feb. 4. Photo credit: NASA/Joe Davila, VAFB

KSC-2009-1385

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-12-04

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a solid rocket booster is lifted alongside the Delta II rocket for installation. The booster is being prepared for the launch of the NOAA-N Prime satellite. NOAA-N Prime is the latest polar-orbiting operational environmental weather satellite developed by NASA for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It is built by Lockheed Martin and similar to NOAA-N launched on May 20, 2005. Launch of NOAA-N Prime is scheduled for Feb. 4. Photo credit: NASA/Joe Davila, VAFB

SLS Intertank Transported to NASA's Barge Pegasus for Shipment, Testing

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-02-22

A structural test version of the intertank for NASA's new heavy-lift rocket, the Space Launch System, is loaded onto the barge Pegasus Feb. 22, at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. NASA engineers and technicians used the agency's new self-propelled modular transporters -- highly specialized, mobile platforms specifically designed to transport SLS hardware -- to transport the critical test hardware to the barge. The intertank is the second piece of structural hardware for the rocket's massive core stage scheduled for delivery to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, for testing. Engineers at Marshall will push, pull and bend the intertank with millions of pounds of force to ensure the hardware can withstand the forces of launch and ascent. The flight version of the intertank will connect the core stage's two colossal fuel tanks, serve as the upper-connection point for the two solid rocket boosters and house the avionics and electronics that will serve as the "brains" of the rocket. Pegasus, originally used during the Space Shuttle Program, has been redesigned and extended to accommodate the SLS rocket's massive, 212-foot-long core stage -- the backbone of the rocket. The 310-foot-long barge will ferry the core stage elements from Michoud to other NASA centers for tests and launches.

SLS Intertank Transported to NASA's Barge Pegasus for Shipment, testing

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-02-22

A structural test version of the intertank for NASA's new heavy-lift rocket, the Space Launch System, is loaded onto the barge Pegasus Feb. 22, at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. NASA engineers and technicians used the agency's new self-propelled modular transporters -- highly specialized, mobile platforms specifically designed to transport SLS hardware -- to transport the critical test hardware to the barge. The intertank is the second piece of structural hardware for the rocket's massive core stage scheduled for delivery to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, for testing. Engineers at Marshall will push, pull and bend the intertank with millions of pounds of force to ensure the hardware can withstand the forces of launch and ascent. The flight version of the intertank will connect the core stage's two colossal fuel tanks, serve as the upper-connection point for the two solid rocket boosters and house the avionics and electronics that will serve as the "brains" of the rocket. Pegasus, originally used during the Space Shuttle Program, has been redesigned and extended to accommodate the SLS rocket's massive, 212-foot-long core stage -- the backbone of the rocket. The 310-foot-long barge will ferry the core stage elements from Michoud to other NASA centers for tests and launches.

Miniature Autonomous Rocket Recovery System (MARRS)

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-05-01

composed of approximately 4 to 6 cubic centimeters of FFFF black powder. C. Rocket System Structure The rocket body was an epoxy-laden phenolic ... Kevlar line upon which was the lower main parachute; a 50” Rocket Rage Parachute. The booster had a 70” Rocket Rage parachute. In order to protect...the parachutes from burns, the parachutes were wrapped in protective Kevlar cloth and a layer of flame-retardant cellulose was packed in between the

The X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus® booster rocket recently underwent combined systems testing while mounted to NASA's NB-52B carrier aircraft

NASA Image and Video Library

2001-03-15

The first of three X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus® booster rocket recently underwent combined systems testing while mounted to NASA's NB-52B carrier aircraft at the Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif. The combined systems test was one of the last major milestones in the Hyper-X research program before the first X-43A flight. The X-43A flights will be the first actual flight tests of an aircraft powered by a revolutionary supersonic-combustion ramjet ("scramjet") engine capable of operating at hypersonic speeds (above Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound). The 12-foot, unpiloted research vehicle was developed and built by MicroCraft Inc., Tullahoma, Tenn., under NASA contract. The booster was built by Orbital Sciences Corp., Dulles, Va.,After being air-launched from NASA's venerable NB-52 mothership, the booster will accelerate the X-43A to test speed and altitude. The X-43A will then separate from the rocket and fly a pre-programmed trajectory, conducting aerodynamic and propulsion experiments until it descends into the Pacific Ocean. Three research flights are planned, two at Mach 7 and one at Mach 10.

Analysis of Rocket, Ram-Jet, and Turbojet Engines for Supersonic Propulsion of Long-Range Missles. II - Rocket Missile Performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Huff, Vearl N.; Kerrebrock, Jack

1954-01-01

The theoretical performance of a two-stage ballistic rocket mis having a centerbody and two parallel boosters was investigated for J oxygen and ammonia-fluorine propellants. Both power-plant and missi parameters were optimized to give minimum cost on-the basis of the analysis for a range of 5500 nautical miles. After optimum values were found, each parameter was varied independently to determine its effect on performance of the missile. The missile using the ammonia-fluorine propellant weighs about one half as much as a missile using JP4-oxygen. Based on an expected unit cost of fluorine in quantity production, the ammonia-fluorine missile has a substantially lower relative cost than a JP4-oxygen missile. Optimum chamber pressures for both propellant systems and for both the centerbody and boosters were between 450 and 600 pounds per square inch. High design altitudes for the exhaust nozzle are desirable for both the centerbody and boosters. For the centerbody, the design altitude should be between 45,000 and 60,000 feet, with the value for ammonia-fluorine lower than that for JP4-oxygen. For the boosters, the design altitude should be 20,000 to 30,000 feet, with the value for the ammonia-fluorine. missile higher.

The X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus® booster rocket nestled under the wing of NASA's NB-52B carrier aircraft during pre-flight systems testing

NASA Image and Video Library

2001-03-15

The X-43A hypersonic research aircraft and its modified Pegasus® booster rocket are nestled under the wing of NASA's NB-52B carrier aircraft during pre-flight systems testing at the Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif. The combined systems test was one of the last major milestones in the Hyper-X research program before the first X-43A flight. The X-43A flights will be the first actual flight tests of an aircraft powered by a revolutionary supersonic-combustion ramjet ("scramjet") engine capable of operating at hypersonic speeds (above Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound). The 12-foot, unpiloted research vehicle was developed and built by MicroCraft Inc., Tullahoma, Tenn., under NASA contract. The booster was built by Orbital Sciences Corp., Dulles, Va. After being air-launched from NASA's venerable NB-52 mothership, the booster will accelerate the X-43A to test speed and altitude. The X-43A will then separate from the rocket and fly a pre-programmed trajectory, conducting aerodynamic and propulsion experiments until it descends into the Pacific Ocean. Three research flights are planned, two at Mach 7 and one at Mach 10.

Ascent performance issues of a vertical-takeoff rocket launch vehicle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Powell, Richard W.; Naftel, J. C.; Cruz, Christopher I.

1991-04-01

Advanced manned launch systems studies under way at the NASA Langley Research Center are part of a broader effort that is examining options for the next manned space transportation system to be developed by the United States. One promising concept that uses near-term technologies is a fully reusable, two-stage vertical-takeoff rocket vehicle. This vehicle features parallel thrusting of the booster and orbiter with the booster cross-feeding the propellant to the orbiter until staging. In addition, after staging, the booster glides back unpowered to the launch site. This study concentrated on two issues that could affect the ascent performance of this vehicle. The first is the large gimbal angle range required for pitch trim until staging because of the propellant cross-feed. Results from this analysis show that if control is provided by gimballing of the rocket engines, they must gimbal greater than 20 deg, which is excessive when compared with current vehicles. However, this analysis also showed that this limit could be reduced to 10 deg if gimballing were augmented by throttling the booster engines. The second issue is the potential influence of off-nominal atmospheric conditions (density and winds) on the ascent performance. This study showed that a robust guidance algorithm could be developed that would insure accurate insertion, without prelaunch atmospheric knowledge.

KSC-04pd0524

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-03-05

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The STS-114 crew pose for a photo in front of a solid rocket booster aft skirt in the SRB Assembly and Refurbishment Facility. In front, from left, are Cynthia Perrons, electrical technician with United Space Alliance; Commander Eileen Collins, Pilot James Kelly, and Mission Specialists Charles Camarda and Andrew Thomas. In back are Paul Gutierrez, associate program manager in SRB Element, USA; John Cleary Jr., electrical engineer with USA; Mike Leppert, project lead, Manufacturing Operations, USA; Don Noah, Materials and Processes engineer, USA; Bob Herman, deputy associate program manager, SRB Element, USA; Mission Specialist Soichi Noguchi; Dale Marlow, thermal protection system engineer with USA; Mission Specialist Stephen Robinson; Greg Henry, director, Manufacturing Operations, USA.

Probabilistic Structural Analysis of the SRB Aft Skirt External Fitting Modification

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Townsend, John S.; Peck, J.; Ayala, S.

1999-01-01

NASA has funded several major programs (the PSAM Project is an example) to develop Probabilistic Structural Analysis Methods and tools for engineers to apply in the design and assessment of aerospace hardware. A probabilistic finite element design tool, known as NESSUS, is used to determine the reliability of the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) aft skirt critical weld. An external bracket modification to the aft skirt provides a comparison basis for examining the details of the probabilistic analysis and its contributions to the design process.

Space Launch System Accelerated Booster Development Cycle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arockiam, Nicole; Whittecar, William; Edwards, Stephen

2012-01-01

With the retirement of the Space Shuttle, NASA is seeking to reinvigorate the national space program and recapture the public s interest in human space exploration by developing missions to the Moon, near-earth asteroids, Lagrange points, Mars, and beyond. The would-be successor to the Space Shuttle, NASA s Constellation Program, planned to take humans back to the Moon by 2020, but due to budgetary constraints was cancelled in 2010 in search of a more "affordable, sustainable, and realistic" concept2. Following a number of studies, the much anticipated Space Launch System (SLS) was unveiled in September of 2011. The SLS core architecture consists of a cryogenic first stage with five Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs), and a cryogenic second stage using a new J-2X engine3. The baseline configuration employs two 5-segment solid rocket boosters to achieve a 70 metric ton payload capability, but a new, more capable booster system will be required to attain the goal of 130 metric tons to orbit. To this end, NASA s Marshall Space Flight Center recently released a NASA Research Announcement (NRA) entitled "Space Launch System (SLS) Advanced Booster Engineering Demonstration and/or Risk Reduction." The increased emphasis on affordability is evident in the language used in the NRA, which is focused on risk reduction "leading to an affordable Advanced Booster that meets the evolved capabilities of SLS" and "enabling competition" to "enhance SLS affordability. The purpose of the work presented in this paper is to perform an independent assessment of the elements that make up an affordable and realistic path forward for the SLS booster system, utilizing advanced design methods and technology evaluation techniques. The goal is to identify elements that will enable a more sustainable development program by exploring the trade space of heavy lift booster systems and focusing on affordability, operability, and reliability at the system and subsystem levels5. For this study, affordability is defined as lifecycle cost, which includes design, development, test, and engineering (DDT&E), production and operational costs (P&O). For this study, the system objectives include reducing DDT&E schedule by a factor of three, showing 99.9% reliability, flying up to four times per year, serving both crew and cargo missions, and evolving to a lift capability of 130 metric tons.3 After identifying gaps in the current system s capabilities, this study seeks to identify non-traditional and innovative technologies and processes that may improve performance in these areas and assess their impacts on booster system development. The DDT&E phase may be improved by incorporating incremental development testing and integrated demonstrations to mitigate risk. To further reduce DDT&E, this study will also consider how aspects of the booster system may have commonality with other users, such as the Department of Defense, commercial applications, or international partners; by sharing some of the risk and investment, the overall development cost may be reduced. Consideration is not limited to solid and liquid rocket boosters. A set of functional performance characteristics, such as engine thrust, specific impulse (Isp), mixture ratio, and throttle range are identified and their impacts on the system are evaluated. This study also identifies how such characteristics affect overall life cycle cost, including DDT&E and fixed and variable P&O.

KSC-08pd0872

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-03-27

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --- On Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the mobile service tower at left approaches the Delta II rocket at right. The solid rocket boosters in the tower will be mated with the rocket, which will launch NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft. A series of nine strap-on solid rocket motors will be mated with the rocket to help power the first stage. Because the Delta rocket is configured as a Delta II 7920 Heavy, the boosters are larger than those used on the standard configuration. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. Launch is currently planned for May 16 from Pad 17-B. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-08pd0873

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-03-27

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. --- On Pad 17-B on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the mobile service tower at left approaches the Delta II rocket at right. The solid rocket boosters in the tower will be mated with the rocket, which will launch NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, or GLAST, spacecraft. A series of nine strap-on solid rocket motors will be mated with the rocket to help power the first stage. Because the Delta rocket is configured as a Delta II 7920 Heavy, the boosters are larger than those used on the standard configuration. The GLAST is a powerful space observatory that will explore the Universe's ultimate frontier, where nature harnesses forces and energies far beyond anything possible on Earth; probe some of science's deepest questions, such as what our Universe is made of, and search for new laws of physics; explain how black holes accelerate jets of material to nearly light speed; and help crack the mystery of stupendously powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. Launch is currently planned for May 16 from Pad 17-B. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

Vehicle Support Posts Installation onto Mobile Launcher

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-05-25

Construction workers on the deck of the mobile launcher at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, prepare to install a vehicle support post. A total of eight support posts are being installed to support the load of the Space Launch System's (SLS) solid rocket boosters, with four posts for each of the boosters. The support posts are about five feet tall and each weigh about 10,000 pounds. The posts will structurally support the SLS rocket through T-0 and liftoff, and will drop down before vehicle liftoff to avoid contact with the flight hardware. The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is overseeing installation of the support posts to prepare for the launch of the Orion spacecraft atop the SLS rocket.

Vehicle Support Posts Installation onto Mobile Launcher

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-05-25

At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, construction workers on the deck of the mobile launcher install the final four vehicle support posts. A total of eight support posts are being installed to support the load of the Space Launch System's (SLS) solid rocket boosters, with four posts for each of the boosters. The support posts are about five feet tall and each weigh about 10,000 pounds. The posts will structurally support the SLS rocket through T-0 and liftoff, and will drop down before vehicle liftoff to avoid contact with the flight hardware. The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is overseeing installation of the support posts to prepare for the launch of the Orion spacecraft atop the SLS rocket.

Vehicle Support Posts Installation onto Mobile Launcher

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-05-25

At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the final four vehicle support posts are being installed on the deck of the mobile launcher. A total of eight support posts are being installed to support the load of the Space Launch System's (SLS) solid rocket boosters, with four posts for each of the boosters. The support posts are about five feet tall and each weigh about 10,000 pounds. The posts will structurally support the SLS rocket through T-0 and liftoff, and will drop down before vehicle liftoff to avoid contact with the flight hardware. The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is overseeing installation of the support posts to prepare for the launch of the Orion spacecraft atop the SLS rocket.

Vehicle Support Posts Installation onto Mobile Launcher

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-05-11

Construction workers on the deck of the mobile launcher at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, prepare a platform for installation of a vehicle support post. A total of eight support posts will be installed to support the load of the Space Launch System's (SLS) solid rocket boosters, with four posts for each of the boosters. The support posts are about five feet tall and each weigh about 10,000 pounds. The posts will structurally support the SLS rocket through T-0 and liftoff, and will drop down before vehicle liftoff to avoid contact with the flight hardware. The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is overseeing installation of the support posts to prepare for the launch of the Orion spacecraft atop the SLS rocket.

Vehicle Support Posts Installation onto Mobile Launcher

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-05-11

A vehicle support post will lifted up by crane and lowered onto the deck of the mobile launcher at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A total of eight support posts will be installed to support the load of the Space Launch System's (SLS) solid rocket boosters, with four posts for each of the boosters. The support posts are about five feet tall and each weigh about 10,000 pounds. The posts will structurally support the SLS rocket through T-0 and liftoff, and will drop down before vehicle liftoff to avoid contact with the flight hardware. The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is overseeing installation of the support posts to prepare for the launch of the Orion spacecraft atop the SLS rocket.

Vehicle Support Posts Installation onto Mobile Launcher

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-05-11

In view are three vehicle support posts installed on the deck of the mobile launcher at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A total of eight support posts will be installed to support the load of the Space Launch System's (SLS) solid rocket boosters, with four posts for each of the boosters. The support posts are about five feet tall and each weigh about 10,000 pounds. The posts will structurally support the SLS rocket through T-0 and liftoff, and will drop down before vehicle liftoff to avoid contact with the flight hardware. The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is overseeing installation of the support posts to prepare for the launch of the Orion spacecraft atop the SLS rocket.

Delta Mariner arrival with EFT-1 Booster

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-03-03

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The United Launch Alliance barge Delta Mariner enters Port Canaveral in Florida. The barge is carrying two of the booster stages for the Delta IV Heavy rocket slated for Orion's Exploration Flight Test-1, or EFT-1. Orion is the exploration spacecraft designed to carry astronauts to destinations not yet explored by humans. It will have emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep-space return velocities. The first unpiloted test flight of Orion is scheduled to launch in September 2014 atop a Delta IV Heavy rocket and in 2017 on NASA’s Space Launch System rocket. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/orion. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin

Delta Mariner arrival with EFT-1 Booster

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-03-03

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The United Launch Alliance barge Delta Mariner is secured to the dock in Port Canaveral in Florida. The barge is carrying two of the booster stages for the Delta IV Heavy rocket slated for Orion's Exploration Flight Test-1, or EFT-1. Orion is the exploration spacecraft designed to carry astronauts to destinations not yet explored by humans. It will have emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep-space return velocities. The first unpiloted test flight of Orion is scheduled to launch in September 2014 atop a Delta IV Heavy rocket and in 2017 on NASA’s Space Launch System rocket. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/orion. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin

Delta Mariner arrival with EFT-1 Booster

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-03-03

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The United Launch Alliance barge Delta Mariner prepares to dock in Port Canaveral in Florida. The barge is carrying two of the booster stages for the Delta IV Heavy rocket slated for Orion's Exploration Flight Test-1, or EFT-1. Orion is the exploration spacecraft designed to carry astronauts to destinations not yet explored by humans. It will have emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep-space return velocities. The first unpiloted test flight of Orion is scheduled to launch in September 2014 atop a Delta IV Heavy rocket and in 2017 on NASA’s Space Launch System rocket. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/orion. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin

Delta Mariner arrival with EFT-1 Booster

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-03-03

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The United Launch Alliance barge Delta Mariner approaches the mouth of Port Canaveral in Florida. The barge is carrying two of the booster stages for the Delta IV Heavy rocket slated for Orion's Exploration Flight Test-1, or EFT-1. Orion is the exploration spacecraft designed to carry astronauts to destinations not yet explored by humans. It will have emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep-space return velocities. The first unpiloted test flight of Orion is scheduled to launch in September 2014 atop a Delta IV Heavy rocket and in 2017 on NASA’s Space Launch System rocket. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/orion. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin

Delta Mariner arrival with EFT-1 Booster

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-03-03

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The United Launch Alliance barge Delta Mariner nears the dock in Port Canaveral in Florida. The barge is carrying two of the booster stages for the Delta IV Heavy rocket slated for Orion's Exploration Flight Test-1, or EFT-1. Orion is the exploration spacecraft designed to carry astronauts to destinations not yet explored by humans. It will have emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep-space return velocities. The first unpiloted test flight of Orion is scheduled to launch in September 2014 atop a Delta IV Heavy rocket and in 2017 on NASA’s Space Launch System rocket. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/orion. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin

Delta Mariner arrival with EFT-1 Booster

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-03-03

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The United Launch Alliance barge Delta Mariner glides past the jetties as it enters Port Canaveral in Florida. The barge is carrying two of the booster stages for the Delta IV Heavy rocket slated for Orion's Exploration Flight Test-1, or EFT-1. Orion is the exploration spacecraft designed to carry astronauts to destinations not yet explored by humans. It will have emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep-space return velocities. The first unpiloted test flight of Orion is scheduled to launch in September 2014 atop a Delta IV Heavy rocket and in 2017 on NASA’s Space Launch System rocket. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/orion. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin

Delta Mariner arrival with EFT-1 Booster

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-03-03

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The United Launch Alliance barge Delta Mariner travels through Port Canaveral in Florida. The barge is carrying two of the booster stages for the Delta IV Heavy rocket slated for Orion's Exploration Flight Test-1, or EFT-1. Orion is the exploration spacecraft designed to carry astronauts to destinations not yet explored by humans. It will have emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep-space return velocities. The first unpiloted test flight of Orion is scheduled to launch in September 2014 atop a Delta IV Heavy rocket and in 2017 on NASA’s Space Launch System rocket. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/orion. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin

Delta Mariner arrival with EFT-1 Booster

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-03-03

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The United Launch Alliance barge Delta Mariner docks in Port Canaveral in Florida. The barge is carrying two of the booster stages for the Delta IV Heavy rocket slated for Orion's Exploration Flight Test-1, or EFT-1. Orion is the exploration spacecraft designed to carry astronauts to destinations not yet explored by humans. It will have emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during space travel and provide safe re-entry from deep-space return velocities. The first unpiloted test flight of Orion is scheduled to launch in September 2014 atop a Delta IV Heavy rocket and in 2017 on NASA’s Space Launch System rocket. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/orion. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin

Ares First Stage "Systemology" - Combining Advanced Systems Engineering and Planning Tools to Assure Mission Success

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seiler, James; Brasfield, Fred; Cannon, Scott

2008-01-01

Ares is an integral part of NASA s Constellation architecture that will provide crew and cargo access to the International Space Station as well as low earth orbit support for lunar missions. Ares replaces the Space Shuttle in the post 2010 time frame. Ares I is an in-line, two-stage rocket topped by the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle, its service module, and a launch abort system. The Ares I first stage is a single, five-segment reusable solid rocket booster derived from the Space Shuttle Program's reusable solid rocket motor. The Ares second or upper stage is propelled by a J-2X main engine fueled with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. This paper describes the advanced systems engineering and planning tools being utilized for the design, test, and qualification of the Ares I first stage element. Included are descriptions of the current first stage design, the milestone schedule requirements, and the marriage of systems engineering, detailed planning efforts, and roadmapping employed to achieve these goals.

Zone radiometer measurements on a model rocket exhaust plume

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

Radiometer for analytical prediction of rocket plume-to-booster thermal radiation and convective heating is described. Applications for engine combustion analysis, incineration, and pollution control by high temperature processing are discussed. Illustrations of equipment are included.

Space Shuttle Projects

NASA Image and Video Library

1979-07-13

This is a photograph of the solid rocket booster's (SRB's) Qualification Motor-1 (QM-1) being prepared for a static firing in a test stand at the Morton Thiokol Test Site in Wasatch, Utah, showing the aft end of the booster. The twin boosters provide the majority of thrust for the first two minutes of flight, about 5.8 million pounds, augmenting the Shuttle's main propulsion system during liftoff. The major design drivers for the solid rocket motors (SRM's) were high thrust and reuse. The desired thrust was achieved by using state-of-the-art solid propellant and by using a long cylindrical motor with a specific core design that allows the propellant to burn in a carefully controlled marner. Under the direction of the Marshall Space Flight Center, the SRM's are provided by the Morton Thiokol Corporation.

SLS Pathfinder Segments Car Train Departure

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-03-02

An Iowa Northern locomotive, contracted by Goodloe Transportation of Chicago, travels along the NASA railroad bridge over the Indian River north of Kennedy Space Center, carrying one of two containers on a railcar for transport to the NASA Jay Jay railroad yard. The containers held two pathfinders, or test versions, of solid rocket booster segments for NASA’s Space Launch System rocket that were delivered to the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility (RPSF). Inside the RPSF, the Ground Systems Development and Operations Program and Jacobs Engineering, on the Test and Operations Support Contract, will conduct a series of lifts, moves and stacking operations using the booster segments, which are inert, to prepare for Exploration Mission-1, deep-space missions and the journey to Mars. The pathfinder booster segments are from Orbital ATK in Utah.

SLS Pathfinder Segments Car Train Departure

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-03-02

An Iowa Northern locomotive, conracted by Goodloe Transportation of Chicago, travels along the NASA railroad bridge over the Indian River north of Kennedy Space Center, with two containers on railcars for transport to the NASA Jay Jay railroad yard. The containers held two pathfinders, or test versions, of solid rocket booster segments for NASA’s Space Launch System rocket that were delivered to the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility (RPSF). Inside the RPSF, the Ground Systems Development and Operations Program and Jacobs Engineering, on the Test and Operations Support Contract, will conduct a series of lifts, moves and stacking operations using the booster segments, which are inert, to prepare for Exploration Mission-1, deep-space missions and the journey to Mars. The pathfinder booster segments are from Orbital ATK in Utah.

SLS Pathfinder Segments Car Train Departure

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-03-02

An Iowa Northern locomotive, contracted by Goodloe Transportation of Chicago, approaches the raised span of the NASA railroad bridge to continue over the Indian River north of Kennedy Space Center with two containers on railcars for storage at the NASA Jay Jay railroad yard. The containers held two pathfinders, or test versions, of solid rocket booster segments for NASA’s Space Launch System rocket that were delivered to the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility (RPSF). Inside the RPSF, the Ground Systems Development and Operations Program and Jacobs Engineering, on the Test and Operations Support Contract, will conduct a series of lifts, moves and stacking operations using the booster segments, which are inert, to prepare for Exploration Mission-1, deep-space missions and the journey to Mars. The pathfinder booster segments are from Orbital ATK in Utah.

SLS Pathfinder Segments Car Train Departure

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-03-02

An Iowa Northern locomotive, contracted by Goodloe Transportation of Chicago, travels along the NASA railroad bridge over the Indian River north of Kennedy Space Center, carrying one of two containers on a railcar for transport to the NASA Jay Jay railroad yard near the center. The containers held two pathfinders, or test versions, of solid rocket booster segments for NASA’s Space Launch System rocket that were delivered to the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility (RPSF). Inside the RPSF, the Ground Systems Development and Operations Program and Jacobs Engineering, on the Test and Operations Support Contract, will conduct a series of lifts, moves and stacking operations using the booster segments, which are inert, to prepare for Exploration Mission-1, deep-space missions and the journey to Mars. The pathfinder booster segments are from Orbital ATK in Utah.

SLS Pathfinder Segments Car Train Departure

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-03-02

An Iowa Northern locomotive, contracted by Goodloe Transportation of Chicago, continues along the NASA railroad bridge over the Indian River north of Kennedy Space Center, carrying one of two containers on a railcar for transport to the NASA Jay Jay railroad yard. The containers held two pathfinders, or test versions, of solid rocket booster segments for NASA’s Space Launch System rocket that were delivered to the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility (RPSF). Inside the RPSF, the Ground Systems Development and Operations Program and Jacobs Engineering, on the Test and Operations Support Contract, will conduct a series of lifts, moves and stacking operations using the booster segments, which are inert, to prepare for Exploration Mission-1, deep-space missions and the journey to Mars. The pathfinder booster segments are from Orbital ATK in Utah.

The second X-43A hypersonic research aircraft, shown here in its protective shipping jig, arrives at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center

NASA Image and Video Library

2001-01-31

The second of three X-43A hypersonic research aircraft, shown here in its protective shipping jig, arrived at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, on January 31, 2001. The arrival of the second X-43A from its manufacturer, MicroCraft, Inc., of Tullahoma, Tenn., followed by only a few days the mating of the first X-43A and its specially-designed adapter to the first stage of a modified Pegasus® booster rocket. The booster, built by Orbital Sciences Corp., Dulles, Va., will accelerate the 12-foot-long, unpiloted research aircraft to a predetermined altitude and speed after the X-43A/booster "stack" is air-launched from NASA's venerable NB-52 mothership. The X-43A will then separate from the rocket and fly a pre-programmed trajectory, conducting aerodynamic and propulsion experiments until it impacts into the Pacific Ocean. Three research flights are planned, two at Mach 7 and one at Mach 10 (seven and 10 times the speed of sound respectively) with the first tentatively scheduled for early summer, 2001. The X-43A is powered by a revolutionary supersonic-combustion ramjet ("scramjet") engine, and will use the underbody of the aircraft to form critical elements of the engine. The forebody shape helps compress the intake airflow, while the aft section acts as a nozzle to direct thrust. The X-43A flights will be the first actual flight tests of an aircraft powered by an air-breathing scramjet engine.

Liquid Rocket Booster (LRB) for the Space Transportation System (STS) systems study. Appendix F: Performance and trajectory for ALS/LRB launch vehicles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

By simply combining two baseline pump-fed LOX/RP-1 Liquid Rocket Boosters (LRBs) with the Denver core, a launch vehicle (Option 1 Advanced Launch System (ALS)) is obtained that can perform both the 28.5 deg (ALS) mission and the polar orbit ALS mission. The Option 2 LRB was obtained by finding the optimum LOX/LH2 engine for the STS/LRB reference mission (70.5 K lb payload). Then this engine and booster were used to estimate ALS payload for the 28.5 deg inclination ALS mission. Previous studies indicated that the optimum number of STS/LRB engines is four. When the engine/booster sizing was performed, each engine had 478 K lb sea level thrust and the booster carried 625,000 lb of useable propellant. Two of these LRBs combined with the Denver core provided a launch vehicle that meets the payload requirements for both the ALS and STS reference missions. The Option 3 LRB uses common engines for the cores and boosters. The booster engines do not have the nozzle extension. These engines were sized as common ALS engines. An ALS launch vehicle that has six core engines and five engines per booster provides 109,100 lb payload for the 28.5 deg mission. Each of these LOX/LH2 LRBs carries 714,100 lb of useable propellant. It is estimated that the STS/LRB reference mission payload would be 75,900 lb.

NASA Ares I Launch Vehicle Roll and Reaction Control Systems Lessons Learned

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Butt, Adam; Popp, Chris G.; Jernigan, Frankie R.; Paseur, Lila F.; Pitts, Hank M.

2011-01-01

On April 15, 2010 President Barak Obama made the official announcement that the Constellation Program, which included the Ares I launch vehicle, would be canceled. NASA s Ares I launch vehicle was being designed to launch the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle, returning humans to the moon, Mars, and beyond. It consisted of a First Stage (FS) five segment solid rocket booster and a liquid J-2X Upper Stage (US) engine. Roll control for the FS was planned to be handled by a dedicated Roll Control System (RoCS), located on the connecting interstage. Induced yaw or pitch moments experienced during FS ascent would have been handled by vectoring of the booster nozzle. After FS booster separation, the US Reaction Control System (ReCS) would have provided the US Element with three degrees of freedom control as needed. The lessons learned documented in this paper will be focused on the technical designs and producibility of both systems along with the partnership between NASA and Boeing, who was on contract to build the Ares I US Element, which included the FS RoCS and US ReCS. In regards to partnership, focus will be placed on integration along with technical work accomplished by Boeing with special emphasis on each task order. In summary, this paper attempts to capture key lessons learned that should be helpful in the development of future launch vehicle RCS designs.

Mercury Project

NASA Image and Video Library

1961-03-24

The Mercury-Redstone Booster Development vehicle (MR-BD) lifts off from Cape Canaveral March 24, 1961. This test flight evaluated changes incorporated in the booster designed to reduce vehicle oscillations and vibrations. The Mercury-Redstone launch vehicle was developed by Dr. Wernher von Braun and the rocket team in Huntsville, Alabama.

Solid Rocket Booster Hydraulic Pump Port Cap Joint Load Testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gamwell, W. R.; Murphy, N. C.

2004-01-01

The solid rocket booster uses hydraulic pumps fabricated from cast C355 aluminum alloy, with 17-4 PH stainless steel pump port caps. Corrosion-resistant steel, MS51830 CA204L self-locking screw thread inserts are installed into C355 pump housings, with A286 stainless steel fasteners installed into the insert to secure the pump port cap to the housing. In the past, pump port cap fasteners were installed to a torque of 33 Nm (300 in-lb). However, the structural analyses used a significantly higher nut factor than indicated during tests conducted by Boeing Space Systems. When the torque values were reassessed using Boeing's nut factor, the fastener preload had a factor of safety of less than 1, with potential for overloading the joint. This paper describes how behavior was determined for a preloaded joint with a steel bolt threaded into steel inserts in aluminum parts. Finite element models were compared with test results. For all initial bolt preloads, bolt loads increased as external applied loads increased. For higher initial bolt preloads, less load was transferred into the bolt, due to external applied loading. Lower torque limits were established for pump port cap fasteners and additional limits were placed on insert axial deformation under operating conditions after seating the insert with an initial preload.

Liquid Rocket Booster (LRB) for the Space Transportation System (STS) systems study. Appendix B: Liquid rocket booster acoustic and thermal environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

The ascent thermal environment and propulsion acoustic sources for the Martin-Marietta Corporation designed Liquid Rocket Boosters (LRB) to be used with the Space Shuttle Orbiter and External Tank are described. Two designs were proposed: one using a pump-fed propulsion system and the other using a pressure-fed propulsion system. Both designs use LOX/RP-1 propellants, but differences in performance of the two propulsion systems produce significant differences in the proposed stage geometries, exhaust plumes, and resulting environments. The general characteristics of the two designs which are significant for environmental predictions are described. The methods of analysis and predictions for environments in acoustics, aerodynamic heating, and base heating (from exhaust plume effects) are also described. The acoustic section will compare the proposed exhaust plumes with the current SRB from the standpoint of acoustics and ignition overpressure. The sections on thermal environments will provide details of the LRB heating rates and indications of possible changes in the Orbiter and ET environments as a result of the change from SRBs to LRBs.

Hybrid propulsion technology program. Volume 1: Conceptional design package

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jensen, Gordon E.; Holzman, Allen L.; Leisch, Steven O.; Keilbach, Joseph; Parsley, Randy; Humphrey, John

1989-01-01

A concept design study was performed to configure two sizes of hybrid boosters; one which duplicates the advanced shuttle rocket motor vacuum thrust time curve and a smaller, quarter thrust level booster. Two sizes of hybrid boosters were configured for either pump-fed or pressure-fed oxygen feed systems. Performance analyses show improved payload capability relative to a solid propellant booster. Size optimization and fuel safety considerations resulted in a 4.57 m (180 inch) diameter large booster with an inert hydrocarbon fuel. The preferred diameter for the quarter thrust level booster is 2.53 m (96 inches). As part of the design study critical technology issues were identified and a technology acquisition and demonstration plan was formulated.

General view of the Aft Rocket Motor mated with the ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

General view of the Aft Rocket Motor mated with the External Tank Attach Ring and Aft Skirt Assembly in the process of being mounted onto the Mobile Launch Platform in the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center. - Space Transportation System, Solid Rocket Boosters, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Harris County, TX

General view of the Aft Rocket Motor mated with the ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

General view of the Aft Rocket Motor mated with the External Tank Attach Ring and Aft Skirt Assembly being transported from the Rotation Processing and Surge Facility to the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center. - Space Transportation System, Solid Rocket Boosters, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Harris County, TX

Early Rockets

NASA Image and Video Library

1958-01-31

Explorer 1 atop a Jupiter-C in gantry. Jupiter-C carrying the first American satellite, Explorer 1, was successfully launched on January 31, 1958. The Jupiter-C launch vehicle consisted of a modified version of the Redstone rocket's first stage and two upper stages of clustered Baby Sergeant rockets developed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and later designated as Juno boosters for space launches

Pyro thruster for performing rocket booster attachment, disconnect, and jettison functions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hornyak, Stephen

1989-01-01

The concept of a pyro thruster, combining an automatic structural attachment with quick disconnect and thrusting capability, is described. The purpose of the invention is to simplify booster installation, disengagement, and jettison functions for the U.S. Air Force Advanced Launch Systems (ALS) program.

Hyper-X Research Vehicle - Artist Concept in Flight with Scramjet Engine Firing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1997-01-01

This is an artist's depiction of a Hyper-X research vehicle under scramjet power in free-flight following separation from its booster rocket. The X-43A was developed to flight test a dual-mode ramjet/scramjet propulsion system at speeds from Mach 7 up to Mach 10 (7 to 10 times the speed of sound, which varies with temperature and altitude). Hyper-X, the flight vehicle for which is designated as X-43A, is an experimental flight-research program seeking to demonstrate airframe-integrated, 'air-breathing' engine technologies that promise to increase payload capacity for future vehicles, including hypersonic aircraft (faster than Mach 5) and reusable space launchers. This multiyear program is currently underway at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. The Hyper-X schedule calls for its first flight later this year (2000). Hyper-X is a joint program, with Dryden sharing responsibility with NASA's Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia. Dryden's primary role is to fly three unpiloted X-43A research vehicles to validate engine technologies and hypersonic design tools as well as the hypersonic test facility at Langley. Langley manages the program and leads the technology development effort. The Hyper-X Program seeks to significantly expand the speed boundaries of air-breathing propulsion by being the first aircraft to demonstrate an airframe-integrated, scramjet-powered free flight. Scramjets (supersonic-combustion ramjets) are ramjet engines in which the airflow through the whole engine remains supersonic. Scramjet technology is challenging because only limited testing can be performed in ground facilities. Long duration, full-scale testing requires flight research. Scramjet engines are air-breathing, capturing their oxygen from the atmosphere. Current spacecraft, such as the Space Shuttle, are rocket powered, so they must carry both fuel and oxygen for propulsion. Scramjet technology-based vehicles need to carry only fuel. By eliminating the need to carry oxygen, future hypersonic vehicles will be able to carry heavier payloads. Another unique aspect of the X-43A vehicle is the airframe integration. The body of the vehicle itself forms critical elements of the engine. The forebody acts as part of the intake for airflow and the aft section serves as the nozzle. The X-43A vehicles were manufactured by Micro Craft, Inc., Tullahoma, Tennessee. Orbital Sciences Corporation, Chandler, Arizona, built the Pegasus rocket booster used to launch the X-43 vehicles. For the Dryden research flights, the Pegasus rocket booster and attached X-43 will be air launched by Dryden's B-52 'Mothership.' After release from the B-52, the booster will accelerate the X-43A vehicle to the established test conditions (Mach 7 to 10) at an altitude of approximately 100,000 feet where the X-43 will separate from the booster and fly under its own power and preprogrammed control.

Space Transportation Booster Engine Configuration Study. Volume 3: Program Cost estimates and work breakdown structure and WBS dictionary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

The objective of the Space Transportation Booster Engine Configuration Study is to contribute to the ALS development effort by providing highly reliable, low cost booster engine concepts for both expendable and reusable rocket engines. The objectives of the Space Transportation Booster Engine (STBE) Configuration Study were: (1) to identify engine development configurations which enhance vehicle performance and provide operational flexibility at low cost; and (2) to explore innovative approaches to the follow-on Full-Scale Development (FSD) phase for the STBE.

Qualitative investigation of booster recovery in open sea

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Beck, P. E.

1973-01-01

Limited tests were conducted using 1/27 scale model of a Titan 3C booster plus 1/32.9 and 1/15.6 scale models of a solid rocket booster case to establish some of the characteristics that will effect recovery operations in open seas. This preliminary effort was designed to provide additional background information for conceptual development of a waterborne recovery system for space shuttle boosters, pending initiation of comprehensive studies. The models were not instrumented; therefore, all data are qualitative (approximations) and are based on observations plus photographic coverage.

Space transportation booster engine configuration study. Volume 2: Design definition document and environmental analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

The objective of the Space Transportation Booster Engine (STBE) Configuration Study is to contribute to the Advanced Launch System (ALS) development effort by providing highly reliable, low cost booster engine concepts for both expendable and reusable rocket engines. The objectives of the space Transportation Booster Engine (STBE) Configuration Study were: (1) to identify engine configurations which enhance vehicle performance and provide operational flexibility at low cost, and (2) to explore innovative approaches to the follow-on Full-Scale Development (FSD) phase for the STBE.

STS-55 Space Shuttle mission report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fricke, Robert W., Jr.

1993-01-01

A summary of the Space Shuttle Payloads, Orbiter, External Tank, Solid Rocket Booster, Redesigned Solid Rocket Motor, and the Main Engine subsystems performance during the 55th flight of the Space Shuttle Program and the 14th flight of Columbia is presented.

About White Sands Missile Range

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

Information on the White Sands Missile Range is given in viewgraph form. Navy programs, test sites, rocket programs, research rockets' booster capacity, current boost capabilities, ordnance and payload assembly areas, commercial space launch history and agreements, and lead times are among the topics covered.

Vehicle Support Posts Installation onto Mobile Launcher

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-05-11

A construction worker on the deck of the mobile launcher welds a portion of a platform for installation of a vehicle support post at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A total of eight support posts will be installed to support the load of the Space Launch System's (SLS) solid rocket boosters, with four posts for each of the boosters. The support posts are about five feet tall and each weigh about 10,000 pounds. The posts will structurally support the SLS rocket through T-0 and liftoff, and will drop down before vehicle liftoff to avoid contact with the flight hardware. The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is overseeing installation of the support posts to prepare for the launch of the Orion spacecraft atop the SLS rocket.

Vehicle Support Posts Installation onto Mobile Launcher

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-05-11

Construction workers on the deck of the mobile launcher prepare the platforms for installation of vehicle support posts at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. At left, four of the support posts are installed. A total of eight support posts will be installed to support the load of the Space Launch System's (SLS) solid rocket boosters, with four posts for each of the boosters. The support posts are about five feet tall and each weigh about 10,000 pounds. The posts will structurally support the SLS rocket through T-0 and liftoff, and will drop down before vehicle liftoff to avoid contact with the flight hardware. The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is overseeing installation of the support posts to prepare for the launch of the Orion spacecraft atop the SLS rocket.

Vehicle Support Posts Installation onto Mobile Launcher

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-05-11

Several heavy lift cranes surround the mobile launcher at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Preparations are underway to lift a vehicle support post up and onto the mobile launcher for installation on the deck. A total of eight support posts will be installed to support the load of the Space Launch System's (SLS) solid rocket boosters, with four posts for each of the boosters. The support posts are about five feet tall and each weigh about 10,000 pounds. The posts will structurally support the SLS rocket through T-0 and liftoff, and will drop down before vehicle liftoff to avoid contact with the flight hardware. The Ground Systems Development and Operations Program is overseeing installation of the support posts to prepare for the launch of the Orion spacecraft atop the SLS rocket.

Space Shuttle Projects

NASA Image and Video Library

1977-01-01

This illustration is a cutaway of the solid rocket booster (SRB) sections with callouts. The Shuttle's two SRB's are the largest solids ever built and the first designed for refurbishment and reuse. Standing nearly 150-feet high, the twin boosters provide the majority of thrust for the first two minutes of flight, about 5.8 million pounds, augmenting the Shuttle's main propulsion system during liftoff. The major design drivers for the solid rocket motors (SRM's) were high thrust and reuse. The desired thrust was achieved by using state-of-the-art solid propellant and by using a long cylindrical motor with a specific core design that allows the propellant to burn in a carefully controlled marner. At burnout, the boosters separate from the external tank and drop by parachute to the ocean for recovery and subsequent refurbishment. The boosters are designed to survive water impact at almost 60 miles per hour, maintain flotation with minimal damage, and preclude corrosion of the hardware exposed to the harsh seawater environment. Under the project management of the Marshall Space Flight Center, the SRB's are assembled and refurbished by the United Space Boosters. The SRM's are provided by the Morton Thiokol Corporation.

Project of Ariane 5 LV family advancement by use of reusable fly-back boosters (named “Bargouzine”)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sumin, Yu.; Bonnal, Ch.; Kostromin, S.; Panichkin, N.

2007-12-01

The paper concerns possible concept variants of a partially reusable Heavy-Lift Launch Vehicle derived from the advanced basic launcher (Ariane-2010) by means of substitution of the EAP Solid Rocket Boosters for a Reusable Starting Stage consisting two Liquid-propellant Reusable Fly-Back Boosters called "Bargouzin". This paper describes the status of the presently studied RFBB concepts during its three phases. The first project phase was dedicated to feasibility expertise of liquid-rocket reusable fly-back boosters ("Baikal" type) utilization for heavy-lift space launch vehicle. The design features and main conclusions are presented. The second phase has been performed with the purpose of selection of preferable concept among the alternative ones for the future Ariane LV modernization by using RFBB instead of EAP Boosters. The main requirements, logic of work, possible configuration and conclusion are presented. Initial aerodynamic, ballistic, thermoloading, dynamic loading, trade-off and comparison analysis have been performed on these concepts. The third phase consists in performing a more detailed expertise of the chosen LV concept. This part summarizes some of the more detailed results related to flight performance, system mass, thermoprotection system, aspects of technologies, ground complex modification, comparison analyses and conclusion.

A new one-man submarine is tested as vehicle for solid rocket booster retrieval

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

A Diver Operator Plug (DOP) is being pulled down into the ocean by a newly designed one-man submarine known as DeepWorker 2000. The activity is part of an operation to attach the plug to a mockup of a solid rocket booster nozzle. DeepWorker 2000 is being tested on its ability to duplicate the sometimes hazardous job United Space Alliance (USA) divers perform to recover the expended boosters in the ocean after a launch. The boosters splash down in an impact area about 140 miles east of Jacksonville and after recovery are towed back to KSC for refurbishment by the specially rigged recovery ships. DeepWorker 2000 will be used in a demonstration during retrieval operations after the upcoming STS-101 launch. The submarine pilot will demonstrate capabilities to cut tangled parachute riser lines using a manipulator arm and attach the DOP to extract water and provide flotation for the booster. DeepWorker 2000 was built by Nuytco Research Ltd., North Vancouver, British Columbia. It is 8.25 feet long, 5.75 feet high, and weighs 3,800 pounds. USA is a prime contractor to NASA for the Space Shuttle program.

A new one-man submarine is tested as vehicle for solid rocket booster retrieval

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

After a successful dive, the one-man submarine known as DeepWorker 2000 is lifted from Atlantic waters near Cape Canaveral, Fla., onto the deck of the Liberty Star, one of two KSC solid rocket booster recovery ships. Inside the sub is the pilot, Anker Rasmussen. The sub is being tested on its ability to duplicate the sometimes hazardous job United Space Alliance (USA) divers perform to recover the expended boosters in the ocean after a launch. The boosters splash down in an impact area about 140 miles east of Jacksonville and after recovery are towed back to KSC for refurbishment by the specially rigged recovery ships. DeepWorker 2000 will be used in a demonstration during retrieval operations after the upcoming STS-101 launch. The submarine pilot will demonstrate capabilities to cut tangled parachute riser lines using a manipulator arm and attach a Diver Operator Plug to extract water and provide flotation for the booster. DeepWorker 2000 was built by Nuytco Research Ltd., North Vancouver, British Columbia. It is 8.25 feet long, 5.75 feet high, and weighs 3,800 pounds. USA is a prime contractor to NASA for the Space Shuttle program.

A new one-man submarine is tested as vehicle for solid rocket booster retrieval

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

At left, a manipulator arm on a one-man submarine demonstrates its ability to cut tangled parachute riser lines and place a Diver Operator Plug (top right) inside a mock solid rocket booster nozzle (center). Known as DeepWorker 2000, the sub is being tested on its ability to duplicate the sometimes hazardous job United Space Alliance (USA) divers perform to recover the expended boosters in the ocean after a launch. The boosters splash down in an impact area about 140 miles east of Jacksonville and after recovery are towed back to KSC for refurbishment by the specially rigged recovery ships. DeepWorker 2000 will be used in a demonstration during retrieval operations after the upcoming STS-101 launch. The submarine pilot will demonstrate capabilities to cut tangled parachute riser lines using a manipulator arm and attach the DOP to extract water and provide flotation for the booster. DeepWorker 2000 was built by Nuytco Research Ltd., North Vancouver, British Columbia. It is 8.25 feet long, 5.75 feet high, and weighs 3,800 pounds. USA is a prime contractor to NASA for the Space Shuttle program.

KSC-2011-5496

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-07-11

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At Hangar AF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, a booster retrieval ship delivers a frustum from one of space shuttle Atlantis' spent solid rocket boosters, beginning the safing process. The shuttle's two solid rocket booster casings and associated flight hardware are recovered in the Atlantic Ocean after every launch by the booster retrieval ships Freedom Star and Liberty Star. The boosters impact the Atlantic about seven minutes after liftoff and the ships are stationed about 10 miles from the impact area at the time of splashdown. After the spent segments are processed, they will be transported to Utah, where they will be deserviced and stored, if needed. Atlantis began its final flight at 11:29 a.m. EDT on July 8 to deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies and spare parts for the International Space Station. STS-135 is the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the space station, and the 135th and final mission of NASA's Space Shuttle Program. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Study of solid rocket motors for a space shuttle booster. Volume 2, book 3, addendum 1: Cost estimating data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vonderesch, A. H.

1972-01-01

A second iteration of the program baseline configuration and cost for the solid propellant rocket engines used with the space shuttle booster system is presented. The purpose of the study was to ensure that total program costs were complete and to review areas where costs might be overly conservative and could be reduced. Labor and material were analyzed in more depth, more definition was prepared to separate recurring from nonrecurring costs, and the operations portions of the engine and stage were separated into more identifiable activities.

Analysis of SRB reentry acoustic environments. [aeroacoustic spectra determined from wind tunnel tests

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Coffin, T.; Dandridge, R. E.; Haddock, U. W.

1979-01-01

Space shuttle solid rocket booster reentry aeroacoustic environments were estimated. Particular emphasis was given to the aft skirt/exit plane region for the Mach number regime 0.6 = or greater than M infinity = or less than 3.5. The analysis is based on the evaluation of wind tunnel model results in conjunction with Monte Carlo simulation of trajectory parameters. The experimental approach is described as well as the evaluation process utilized. Predicted environments are presented in terms of one-third octave band spectra representing space averaged values for critical regions on the solid rocket booster.

KSC-2009-2714

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-04-16

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – On Launch Complex 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, a third solid rocket booster is lifted into the mobile service tower next to the other two. The boosters will be attached to the Delta II rocket that will launch the STSS Demonstrator spacecraft. The STSS Demonstrators is a midcourse tracking technology demonstrator and is part of an evolving ballistic missile defense system. STSS is capable of tracking objects after boost phase and provides trajectory information to other sensors. It will be launched by NASA for the Missile Defense Agency on July 29. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

SRB Processing Facilities Media Event

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-03-01

Members of the news media watch as a crane is used to move one of two pathfinders, or test versions, of solid rocket booster segments for NASA’s Space Launch System rocket to a test stand in the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Inside the RPSF, the Ground Systems Development and Operations Program and Jacobs Engineering, on the Test and Operations Support Contract, will prepare the booster segments, which are inert, for a series of lifts, moves and stacking operations to prepare for Exploration Mission-1, deep-space missions and the journey to Mars.

Soyuz TMA-3 and booster rocket transport and raise on launch pad at Baikonur Cosmodrome

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-10-15

JSC2003-E-59146 (16 October 2003) --- The Soyuz TMA-3 spacecraft and its booster rocket were transported on a rail car to its launch pad and raised to its vertical launch position at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan on October 16, 2003, in preparation for liftoff October 18 to carry astronaut C. Michael Foale, Expedition 8 mission commander and NASA ISS science officer; cosmonaut Alexander Kaleri, Soyuz commander and flight engineer, representing Rosaviakosmos; and European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Pedro Duque of Spain to the International Space Station (ISS). Photo Credit: "NASA/Bill Ingalls"

Soyuz TMA-3 and booster rocket transport and raise on launch pad at Baikonur Cosmodrome

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-10-15

JSC2003-E-59150 (16 October 2003) --- The Soyuz TMA-3 spacecraft and its booster rocket were transported on a rail car to its launch pad and raised to its vertical launch position at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan on October 16, 2003, in preparation for liftoff October 18 to carry astronaut C. Michael Foale, Expedition 8 mission commander and NASA ISS science officer; cosmonaut Alexander Kaleri, Soyuz commander and flight engineer, representing Rosaviakosmos; and European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Pedro Duque of Spain to the International Space Station (ISS). Photo Credit: "NASA/Bill Ingalls"

Soyuz TMA-3 and booster rocket transport and raise on launch pad at Baikonur Cosmodrome

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-10-15

JSC2003-E-59158 (16 October 2003) --- The Soyuz TMA-3 spacecraft and its booster rocket were transported on a rail car to its launch pad and raised to its vertical launch position at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan on October 16, 2003, in preparation for liftoff October 18 to carry astronaut C. Michael Foale, Expedition 8 mission commander and NASA ISS science officer; cosmonaut Alexander Kaleri, Soyuz commander and flight engineer, representing Rosaviakosmos; and European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Pedro Duque of Spain to the International Space Station (ISS). Photo Credit: "NASA/Bill Ingalls"

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Jeff Thon, an SRB mechanic with United Space Alliance, is fitted with a harness to test a vertical solid rocket booster propellant grain inspection technique. Thon will be lowered inside a mockup of two segments of the SRBs. The inspection of segments is required as part of safety analysis.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-09-11

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Jeff Thon, an SRB mechanic with United Space Alliance, is fitted with a harness to test a vertical solid rocket booster propellant grain inspection technique. Thon will be lowered inside a mockup of two segments of the SRBs. The inspection of segments is required as part of safety analysis.

Recession Curve Generation for the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster Thermal Protection System Coatings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kanner, Howard S.; Stuckey, C. Irvin; Davis, Darrell W.; Davis, Darrell (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

Ablatable Thermal Protection System (TPS) coatings are used on the Space Shuttle Vehicle Solid Rocket Boosters in order to protect the aluminum structure from experiencing excessive temperatures. The methodology used to characterize the recession of such materials is outlined. Details of the tests, including the facility, test articles and test article processing are also presented. The recession rates are collapsed into an empirical power-law relation. A design curve is defined using a 95-percentile student-t distribution. based on the nominal results. Actual test results are presented for the current acreage TPS material used.

KSC-2009-1384

NASA Image and Video Library

2008-12-04

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – On Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a solid rocket booster is raised to vertical. The booster will be lifted into the service tower and installed on the Delta II rocket for the NOAA-N Prime satellite. NOAA-N Prime is the latest polar-orbiting operational environmental weather satellite developed by NASA for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It is built by Lockheed Martin and similar to NOAA-N launched on May 20, 2005. Launch of NOAA-N Prime is scheduled for Feb. 4. Photo credit: NASA/Joe Davila, VAFB

CLV First Stage Design, Development, Test and Evaluation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burt, Richard K.; Brasfield, F.

2006-01-01

The Crew Launch Vehicle (CLV) is an integral part of NASA's Exploration architecture that will provide crew and cargo access to the International Space Station as well as low earth orbit support for lunar missions. Currently in the system definition phase, the CLV is planned to replace the Space Shuttle for crew transport in the post 2010 time frame. It is comprised of a solid rocket booster first stage derived from the current Space Shuttle SRB, a LOX/hydrogen liquid fueled second stage utilizing a derivative of the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) for propulsion, and a Crew Exploration Vehicle (GEV) composed of Command and Service Modules. This paper deals with current DDT&E planning for the CLV first stage solid rocket booster. Described are the current overall point-of-departure design and booster subsystems, systems engineering approach, and milestone schedule requirements.

KSC-04pd0523

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-03-05

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At the SRB Assembly and Refurbishment Facility, STS-114 crew members look at the booster separation motors (BSM) on a solid rocket booster aft skirt. The BSMs have had booster trowlable ablative removed by liquid nitrogen cutting. The STS-114 crew is at KSC for familiarization with Shuttle and mission equipment. The mission is Logistics Flight 1, which is scheduled to deliver supplies and equipment, plus the external stowage platform, to the International Space Station.