Merged to Solid-propellant rocket Tags: New redirect 2017 wikitext editor |
Andy Dingley (talk | contribs) rv undiscussed merge Undid revision 825276745 by Vorpzn (talk) Tags: Removed redirect Undo nowiki added |
||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{for|the more specific article on the solid rocket boosters used in launching the Space Shuttle see|Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster}} |
|||
#REDIRECT [[solid-propellant rocket]] |
|||
{{R from merge}} |
|||
[[File:SRB-Stardust.JPG|right|thumb|NASA Image of a solid rocket booster (right) being mated to a [[Delta II rocket]] (blue). Two boosters (white) can be seen already attached.]] |
|||
'''Solid-fuel rocket boosters''' ('''SRBs''') are large solid propellant motors used to provide [[thrust]] in spacecraft launches from initial launch through the first ascent stage. Many launch vehicles, including the [[Ariane 5]], [[GSLV Mk III|GSLV MK3]], [[Atlas V]], and the NASA [[Space Shuttle]], have used SRBs to give launch vehicles much of the thrust required to place the vehicle into orbit. The [[Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster]]s were the largest solid propellant motors ever built and designed for recovery and reuse. |
|||
==Description== |
|||
Solid-fuel rocket boosters (SRBs) are large solid propellant motors used to provide [[thrust]] in spacecraft launches from initial launch through the first ascent stage.<ref>{{Cite web|title = NASA - Solid Rocket Boosters|url = http://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight/system/system_SRB.html|website = www.nasa.gov|access-date = 2016-02-08|language = en|first = Jim|last = Wilson}}</ref> Many launch vehicles, including the [[Ariane 5]], [[Atlas V]],<ref>{{citation|publisher=Lockheed Martin |section=Data |title=Assets |format=[[PDF]] |url=http://www.lockheedmartin.com/data/assets/13434.pdf |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111217084517/http://www.lockheedmartin.com/data/assets/13434.pdf |archivedate=December 17, 2011 }}</ref> and the NASA [[Space Shuttle]], have used SRBs to give launch vehicles much of the thrust required to place the vehicle into orbit. The NASA Space Shuttle used two [[Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster|Space Shuttle SRBs]], which were the largest solid propellant motors ever built and the first designed for recovery and reuse.<ref>{{Cite web|title = HSF - The Shuttle|url = http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/reference/shutref/srb/srb.html|website = spaceflight.nasa.gov|access-date = 2016-02-08}}</ref> |
|||
The propellant for each solid rocket motor on the Space Shuttle weighed approximately 500,000 kilograms.<ref name="science_ksc_nasa_gov-srb_html_srb">{{cite web | publisher = NASA | location = USA |title=Solid rocket boosters|url=http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/technology/sts-newsref/srb.html#srb | date = 2009-08-09}}.</ref> |
|||
==Advantages== |
|||
Compared to [[liquid-fuel rocket|liquid propellant rocket]]s, the [[solid rocket|solid-propellant]] SRBs have been capable of providing large amounts of thrust with a relatively simple design.<ref>{{Cite web|title = What are the types of rocket propulsion?|url = http://www.qrg.northwestern.edu/projects/vss/docs/propulsion/2-what-are-the-types-of-rocket-propulsion.html|website = www.qrg.northwestern.edu|access-date = 2016-02-08}}</ref> They provide greater thrust without significant refrigeration and insulation requirements. Adding detachable SRBs to a vehicle also powered by liquid-propelled rockets known as [[Staging (rocketry)|staging]] reduces the amount of liquid propellant needed and lowers the launch vehicle mass. Solid boosters are cheaper to design, test, and produce in the long run compared to the equivalent liquid propellant boosters. Reusability of components across multiple flights, as in the Shuttle assembly, also has decreased hardware costs.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.tsgc.utexas.edu/archive/general/ethics/boosters.html|title = Doomed from the Beginning:The Solid Rocket Boosters for the Space Shuttle|date = |access-date = |website = Texas Space Grant Consortium|publisher = University of Texas|last = Hoover|first = Kurt}}</ref> |
|||
One example of increased performance provided by SRBs is the [[Ariane 4]] rocket. The basic 40 model with no additional boosters was capable{{when|date=March 2017}} of lifting a 4,795 lb. (2,175 kg.) payload to [[Geostationary transfer orbit]].<ref>{{citation | publisher = Astronautix | url = http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/ariane4.htm | title = Ariane 4 | deadurl = yes | archiveurl = https://www.webcitation.org/69Svx5y6n?url=http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/ariane4.htm | archivedate = 2012-07-27 | df = }}.</ref> The 44P model with 4 solid boosters has a payload of 7,639 lb. (3,465 kg) to the same orbit.<ref>{{citation | publisher = Astronautix | url = http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/arine44p.htm | title = Ariane 44P | deadurl = yes | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110513234146/http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/arine44p.htm | archivedate = 2011-05-13 | df = }}.</ref> |
|||
==Disadvantages== |
|||
Solid propellant boosters are not controllable and must generally burn until exhaustion after ignition, unlike liquid propellant or [[Cold gas thruster|cold-gas]] propulsion systems. However, launch abort systems and [[range safety]] destruct systems can attempt to cut off propellant flow by using [[Shaped charge|shaped charges]].<ref>{{Cite journal|title = Shock Initiation Studies of the NASA Solid Rocket Booster Abort System,|url = http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADP005341|date = 1986-08-01|language = en|first = Douglas G.|last = Tasker}}</ref> {{as of |1986}} estimates for SRB failure rates have ranged from 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 100,000.<ref>{{Cite news|title = NASA Estimate of Rocket Risk Disputed|url = http://articles.latimes.com/1986-03-05/news/mn-15406_1_solid-rocket-boosters|newspaper = Los Angeles Times|date = 1986-03-05|access-date = 2016-02-08|issn = 0458-3035|language = en-US|first = MICHAEL|last = WINES}}</ref> SRB assemblies have failed suddenly and catastrophically. Nozzle blocking or deformation can lead to overpressure or a reduction in thrust, while defects in the booster's casing or stage couplings can cause the assembly to break apart by increasing aerodynamic stresses. Additional failure modes include bore choking and combustion instability.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Solid Rocket Motor Failure Prediction - Introduction|url = http://ti.arc.nasa.gov/tech/dash/pcoe/solid-rocket-motor-failure-prediction/introduction/|website = ti.arc.nasa.gov|access-date = 2016-02-08}}</ref> Failure of an [[O-ring]] seal on the Space Shuttle ''Challenger''<nowiki/>'s right solid rocket booster led to its [[Space Shuttle Challenger disaster|disintegration]] shortly after liftoff. |
|||
Solid rocket motors can present a handling risk on the ground, as a fully fueled booster carries a risk of accidental ignition. Such an accident occurred in the August 2003 [[Brazilian rocket explosion]] at the Brazilian [[Centro de Lançamento de Alcântara]] VLS rocket launch pad, killing 21 technicians.<ref>[http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/vls.htm VLS<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050812074304/http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/vls.htm |date=2005-08-12 }}</ref> Liquid rocket boosters generally cannot be moved after preparation is completed.{{cn|date=March 2017}} |
|||
==See also== |
|||
* [[Liquid rocket booster]] |
|||
* [[Solid-fuel rocket]] |
|||
* [[Graphite-Epoxy Motor]] |
|||
* [[Comparison of orbital rocket engines]] |
|||
* [[Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster]] |
|||
==References== |
|||
{{Include-NASA}} |
|||
<references /> |
|||
==External links== |
|||
* [http://science.howstuffworks.com/rocket3.htm HowStuffWorks : Sold Fuel Rocket Engines] |
|||
* [http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/technology/sts-newsref/srb.html#srb NASA website about the solid rocket booster] |
|||
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050728023909/http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/SPACEFLIGHT/solids/SP13.htm U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission article on solid propelled rockets] |
|||
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZfrxUgZSuM#t=1m20s NASA CGI video developed for the Ares program showing recovery of solid rocket booster] |
|||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Solid Rocket Booster}} |
|||
[[Category:Rocketry]] |
|||
[[Category:Solid-fuel rockets|Booster]] |
Revision as of 11:27, 13 February 2018
Solid-fuel rocket boosters (SRBs) are large solid propellant motors used to provide thrust in spacecraft launches from initial launch through the first ascent stage. Many launch vehicles, including the Ariane 5, GSLV MK3, Atlas V, and the NASA Space Shuttle, have used SRBs to give launch vehicles much of the thrust required to place the vehicle into orbit. The Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters were the largest solid propellant motors ever built and designed for recovery and reuse.
Description
Solid-fuel rocket boosters (SRBs) are large solid propellant motors used to provide thrust in spacecraft launches from initial launch through the first ascent stage.[1] Many launch vehicles, including the Ariane 5, Atlas V,[2] and the NASA Space Shuttle, have used SRBs to give launch vehicles much of the thrust required to place the vehicle into orbit. The NASA Space Shuttle used two Space Shuttle SRBs, which were the largest solid propellant motors ever built and the first designed for recovery and reuse.[3] The propellant for each solid rocket motor on the Space Shuttle weighed approximately 500,000 kilograms.[4]
Advantages
Compared to liquid propellant rockets, the solid-propellant SRBs have been capable of providing large amounts of thrust with a relatively simple design.[5] They provide greater thrust without significant refrigeration and insulation requirements. Adding detachable SRBs to a vehicle also powered by liquid-propelled rockets known as staging reduces the amount of liquid propellant needed and lowers the launch vehicle mass. Solid boosters are cheaper to design, test, and produce in the long run compared to the equivalent liquid propellant boosters. Reusability of components across multiple flights, as in the Shuttle assembly, also has decreased hardware costs.[6]
One example of increased performance provided by SRBs is the Ariane 4 rocket. The basic 40 model with no additional boosters was capable[when?] of lifting a 4,795 lb. (2,175 kg.) payload to Geostationary transfer orbit.[7] The 44P model with 4 solid boosters has a payload of 7,639 lb. (3,465 kg) to the same orbit.[8]
Disadvantages
Solid propellant boosters are not controllable and must generally burn until exhaustion after ignition, unlike liquid propellant or cold-gas propulsion systems. However, launch abort systems and range safety destruct systems can attempt to cut off propellant flow by using shaped charges.[9] As of 1986 estimates for SRB failure rates have ranged from 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 100,000.[10] SRB assemblies have failed suddenly and catastrophically. Nozzle blocking or deformation can lead to overpressure or a reduction in thrust, while defects in the booster's casing or stage couplings can cause the assembly to break apart by increasing aerodynamic stresses. Additional failure modes include bore choking and combustion instability.[11] Failure of an O-ring seal on the Space Shuttle Challenger's right solid rocket booster led to its disintegration shortly after liftoff.
Solid rocket motors can present a handling risk on the ground, as a fully fueled booster carries a risk of accidental ignition. Such an accident occurred in the August 2003 Brazilian rocket explosion at the Brazilian Centro de Lançamento de Alcântara VLS rocket launch pad, killing 21 technicians.[12] Liquid rocket boosters generally cannot be moved after preparation is completed.[citation needed]
See also
- Liquid rocket booster
- Solid-fuel rocket
- Graphite-Epoxy Motor
- Comparison of orbital rocket engines
- Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster
References
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
- ^ Wilson, Jim. "NASA - Solid Rocket Boosters". www.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2016-02-08.
- ^ "Data", Assets (PDF), Lockheed Martin, archived from the original (PDF) on December 17, 2011
{{citation}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "HSF - The Shuttle". spaceflight.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2016-02-08.
- ^ "Solid rocket boosters". USA: NASA. 2009-08-09..
- ^ "What are the types of rocket propulsion?". www.qrg.northwestern.edu. Retrieved 2016-02-08.
- ^ Hoover, Kurt. "Doomed from the Beginning:The Solid Rocket Boosters for the Space Shuttle". Texas Space Grant Consortium. University of Texas.
- ^ Ariane 4, Astronautix, archived from the original on 2012-07-27
{{citation}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help). - ^ Ariane 44P, Astronautix, archived from the original on 2011-05-13
{{citation}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help). - ^ Tasker, Douglas G. (1986-08-01). "Shock Initiation Studies of the NASA Solid Rocket Booster Abort System,".
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help) - ^ WINES, MICHAEL (1986-03-05). "NASA Estimate of Rocket Risk Disputed". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2016-02-08.
- ^ "Solid Rocket Motor Failure Prediction - Introduction". ti.arc.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2016-02-08.
- ^ VLS Archived 2005-08-12 at the Wayback Machine