Low Cost Solid Booster Technology

This paper discusses the technologies of solid rocket components and the effects of cost consciousness on the state-of-the-art. Motor case technology has developed steels which do not require quench-temper heat treatment and have high flaw tolerance, thus providing major cost optimizing opportunities. Nozzle technology for large solid motors is surprisingly good and accumulating knowledge points to appreciably cheaper nozzles made of prosaic materials being developed in the future. Other areas reviewed in terms of cost appraisal are the case insulation, steering systems, and propellant and processing techniques. In conclusion, possible applications for solid motors, either as prototype systems such as Titan III or intermediate type launch vehicles combining the solid booster first stage with a liquid fueled second stage for low earth orbit or lunar probes are outlined.