Questions tagged [srb]
Questions regarding the solid rocket boosters used to propel spacecraft, often during launch.
78
questions
10
votes
1
answer
2k
views
How would larger solid rocket boosters have improved the space shuttle's capabilities?
I was told that the new SLS that NASA is building is using the same SRBs that the space shuttle used just with one extra segment added. Five instead of the original four.
If the shuttle had used these ...
15
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What is the purpose of the aft skirt on the Space Shuttle and SLS Solid Rocket Boosters?
The Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) used by the Space Shuttle and SLS have a skirt near the bottom.
What is it for? Is it only to support the stack?
3
votes
1
answer
163
views
Are the Delta IV Heavy’s attachments for SRBs removable?
The Delta IV (which uses solid rockets in a couple configurations) shares a "Common Booster Core" with the Delta IV Heavy, which does not. Since Delta IV must have attachments for the solid ...
4
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Why do the Titan SRBs have an angled engine bell?
Looking at pictures of Titan rockets with solid rocket boosters, the bell is at an angle. Why would they do that?
https://historicspacecraft.com/Rockets_Titan.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
1
vote
0
answers
54
views
How is the rocket equation affected by changing the number of engines or boosters? [duplicate]
Specific impulse is not affected by the number of boosters or engines on a rocket, correct? Let's say I take a rocket with two SRBs and add to more for the first stage. The specific impulse of the ...
4
votes
1
answer
721
views
For Shuttle SRB solid fuel perforations, what is the shape of the double-truncated-cone?
I understand the 11-point star perforations in the solid fuel in the top-most SRB section. Several articles say that the remaining sections had a double-truncated-cone perforation.
Is my illustration ...
5
votes
3
answers
438
views
What happens if you use an expired solid rocket booster?
Prior to the launch, there was media coverage about how the SLS solid rocket boosters were set to expire in December (which could have caused the launch to be delayed).
Was this expiration date based ...
4
votes
1
answer
610
views
What was the Lockheed design solution for the shuttle SRB field joint and how was it superior to the failure prone Morton Thiokol field joint?
In an effort to quickly post this question I've elected to (for the moment) not provide links to my searches.
I've found tons of references, studies, reports, images etc to the failed Thiokol field ...
19
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Why were they using segmented boosters on Space Shuttle?
After learning how the solid fuel is protecting the casing of the SRB from the heat of the combustion in this answer I have to ask this question.
As we know, it's exactly this segmentation of the ...
2
votes
0
answers
509
views
What is the most powerful solid rocket fuel (highest isp) and it's combustion temperature
I wanted to know what the most power full solid rocket fuel is. I do not mean theoretical once like metallic hydrogen.
Are solid rocket fuel mixtures prepared in a non-ideal mixture? In other words, ...
1
vote
0
answers
76
views
Preventing backfire in rocket engines [duplicate]
In a rocket engine - specifically the SOLID FUEL ones, the "combustion chamber" burns the propellant, creates hot exhaust gases, which pass through the diverging nozzle and create thrust. In ...
8
votes
1
answer
232
views
What is the cabling on the exterior of the SLS solid rocket boosters that wasn't on the shuttle solid rocket boosters?
I noticed what appears to be foamed-over cabling running roughly parallel to the systems tunnel on the exterior of the SLS Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs). The cabling appears to run all the way from the ...
5
votes
1
answer
603
views
Why is there a need for a "forward skirt" segment on SLS solid rockets?
The SLS solid rockets have a "forward skirt segment" above the five true rocket propellent segments. What is the purpose of this segment? I believe that it contains the avionics for the ...
1
vote
0
answers
216
views
In the event of SRB ignition failure, could jettison of the other “lit” SRB prevent catastrophe?
Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) are popular launch boosters, used on the Space Shuttle, Ariane 5, Atlas V and SLV.
However, SRBs have a number of failure modes, most of which result in catastrophe.
...
12
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Why was the Atlas V's SRB kept attached for 1 minute after burnout in the OFT-2 mission?
In Boeing's OFT-2 mission, an Atlas V is the launch vehicle. The solid rocket booster burns out at T+ 1:35 minutes, but the boosters are jettisoned at T+ 2:40 minutes. Why are the boosters not ...