05 MRT. 2004 Publicatiedatum 3941 Weergaven

This page reflected ESA’s future space transportation policy in 2004 but is not updated. It is kept for historical purposes.

Solid propulsion technology is often used for a launcher's boosters or main stage to enable a launcher to lift off. A solid rocket booster is usually made up of a case containing blocks of a self-burning mixture called solid propellant. When this burns the gases produced are forced through a nozzle to provide the power for liftoff.

Several new solid propulsion technologies were developed in the frame of the Vega/P80 programme to increase performance and reduce costs. These technologies included:

  • monolithic carbon fibre reinforced polymer motor case

  • high performance propellant and grain design

  • low-density internal thermal insulation

  • nozzle using low-cost materials and advanced manufacturing processes

  • advanced flex joints

  • electro-mechanical actuators

Other technologies under development that could be used on future launch systems include:

  • segmentation of carbon fibre reinforced polymer case and skirt/case connection

  • development of a low-cost propellant and high energy propellants

  • assessing new motor designs with respect to pressure oscillations


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