NASA has tested a sub-scale solid rocket motor designed similar to its Space Launch System (SLS) booster design at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, US.
During the test, the 20-second firing tested new insulation materials on the 24in diameter, 109in long motor which is a scaled down, low-cost replica of the solid rocket motors which are used to boost SLS off the launch pad.
Marshall Space Flight Center engineer and design lead for the test, Scott Ringel, said: "Test firing small motors at Marshall provides a quick, affordable and effective way to evaluate the new nozzle liner’s performance."
"We have sophisticated analytic and computer modelling tools that tell us whether the new nozzle insulation will perform well, but nothing gives us better confidence than a hot-fire test," said Ringel.
The design and development of SLS is being carried out by Marshall for the agency.
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By GlobalDataNASA said that the new heavy-lift launch vehicle will expand human presence beyond low-Earth orbit and enable new missions of exploration across the solar system.
The test will help engineers in developing, assessing the analytical models and skills to evaluate future full-scale SLS solid rocket motor tests.
The next full-scale test, Qualification Motor-1 (QM-1), which comprises a new insulation material supplied by a new vendor to line the motor’s nozzle, is scheduled to be carried out in spring 2013.
Two 154ft long and 12ft diameter five-segment solid rocket motors will be used to power the first two 70t capability flights of the SLS.
The test will have several secondary objectives including assessment of flaw in the propellant.
Engineers have introduced an intentional defect in the propellant through a tool which will create a specific size of flaw and during the test the engineers will locate the flaw by measuring the temperature inside the motor and assess the margin of error.
Test data will also assist the team in better understanding the acoustics and vibrations resulting from the rocket motor’s plume while NASA’s Engineering and Safety Center will use the test data to determine measure a solid rocket motor’s plume and how it reacts to certain materials.
The test motor was designed by the engineers at Marshall with support from ATK Aerospace Systems and ATK is the prime contractor for the SLS booster.
Image: SLS will expand human presence beyond low-Earth orbit and enable new missions of exploration across the solar system. Image: NASA
