16.

512, Rocket Propulsion

Prof. Manuel Martinez-Sanchez
Lecture 15: Selection of Propellant Mixtures
Solid Propellant Rocket Fundamentals
Solid Propellants Rockets
Read Sutton ch.11 basic performance

Surface regression rate r , empirically correlated to gas pressure as

r = apnc

m = p a Pcn Ab =

Pc A t
c*

(n < 1)
1

A 1 n
Pc = p a c* b
Ad

n<1 for stability

Booster motor

Space Engine (IUS)

Tactical motor

16.512, Rocket Propulsion

Prof. Manuel Martinez-Sanchez

Lecture 15
Page 1 of 2

B. Double bore propellants: Homogenous, Nitroglicerine/Nitrocellulose + additive

C. Composite propellants: Ammonium Per chlorate (AP) + Rubber binder (fuel) +
Aluminum
Ex. Fig 11.7 Sutton.

AP-CMDB

r (100 atm)  1 cm/s

P
r  0.01 c 7
10

n ~ 0.4

0.4

a=1.58 x 10-5

p = 0.0636 lb/m2 = 1760 Kg/m2

C* = 1600 m/s
Want

30% AP (150 m )

Pc = 50 atm  5 x 106 N/m2

0.6

5 106
Ab
=
= 235
At
1760 1.58 105 1600

cannot use end burn

Grain configuration

For Solid Rocket Components and Motor Design

Read Sutton, Chapter 14

16.512, Rocket Propulsion

Prof. Manuel Martinez-Sanchez

Lecture 15
Page 2 of 2