ATK Conducts
Successful Test Firing Of Space Shuttle Reusable Solid Rocket
Motor
(1 May 2008) The Utah desert was
filled with the sight and sound of power today as Alliant Techsystems conducted
a successful test firing of NASA's space shuttle reusable solid rocket motor
(RSRM) as part of continuous testing to improve performance and ensure safety
of the space shuttle and to aid development of the first stage of Ares
I.
An average of 2.6 million pounds of thrust was generated
during the test that lasted just over two minutes -- the same duration as when
launching the space shuttle. The test included 32 objectives, with the main two
being validation of the age-life certification of the motor and measuring the
acoustics, or sound, emitted from the booster when it fires.
Validating
the booster's age-life certification was performed by comparing it to its twin
booster that was test fired three years ago. Both boosters were manufactured at
the same time using the same components. They were shipped to the Kennedy Space
Center and subsequently stacked then de-stacked before being returned to
Utah.
The booster fired today was more than seven years old -- the
oldest RSRM ever fired. Shuttle motors are currently certified to be launched
for up to five years after the propellant is cast. As a result of the test, ATK
and NASA engineers will better understand what effect ageing and exposure to
different climates have on the motors.
Another main test objective is
gathering data to aid in the development of the new Ares I vehicle and its
launch pad. More than 20 microphones were installed at the test site to collect
information that will help predict the lift-off acoustics for Ares I. By
collecting acoustic environment measurements, engineers can make better
predictions of how the sound will affect the surrounding area. The shuttle
program uses massive sprayers, called the water deluge system, to reduce the
acoustic effects of the space shuttle propulsion systems as it lifts off. A
similar system is being developed for the Ares I and data collected from this
test will play an important role in the final design.
"Ground test
firings provide valuable data to ensure the reliability and safety of space
shuttle motors," said Ron Dittemore, president ATK Launch Systems. "The ground
tests also provide critical information needed for the development of the first
stage of Ares I."
Ares I is an in-line, two-stage rocket that includes a
first stage five-segment solid rocket booster patterned after the space shuttle
four-segment booster. It includes an upper stage topped by the Orion crew
capsule; its service module and launch abort system, patterned after the Apollo
crew capsule and Saturn V launch vehicle that propelled humans to the moon.
NASA has slated it to replace the shuttle for missions to the International
Space Station and to enable exploration of the moon, and eventually Mars and
beyond.
ATK is a premier aerospace and defence company with more than
17,000 employees in 21 states and over US$ 4.1 billion in
revenue.
(source: ATK)
