News

2022-09-01

Northrop Grumman and NASA Test New-gen Rocket Motor

Northrop Grumman Corporation and NASA successfully conducted a full-scale static fire of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket motor, known as Flight Support Booster-2. The five-segment solid rocket booster is reportedly the world’s largest solid rocket motor and will provide more than 75 per cent of the SLS rocket’s initial thrust during launch.

Over 300 measurement channels assessed the 154-foot-long solid rocket booster as it fired for just over two minutes producing upwards of 3.6 million pounds of thrust. The test evaluated new materials and demonstrated a new motor ignition system and an electronic thrust vector control system that steers the motors to provide data for developing the next-generation Booster Obsolescence and Life Extension (BOLE) boosters.

Wendy Williams, vice president, propulsion systems, Northrop Grumman, said: “This opportunity will help us develop an enhanced booster that is ready to support the greater payload demands of the SLS rocket through 2031.”

Northrop Grumman was awarded a contract to develop the BOLE booster in December 2021. The award also included follow-on production and flight sets for Artemis IV through Artemis VIII and a BOLE booster set for Artemis IX.

The booster segments for Artemis II, the first crewed Artemis mission, and Artemis III, the mission that will land the first woman and first person of colour on the lunar surface, are complete. Artemis IV segments are currently being cast with propellant, and the first BOLE booster composite segment case to be used for development testing completed winding in October.

Northrop Grumman has supplied rocket propulsion for NASA’s Apollo and Space Shuttle Programmes and developed the five-segment SLS solid rocket booster based on the flight-proven design of the space shuttle boosters. Designed with an additional segment and upgraded technology and materials, each of the twin solid rocket boosters generates 25 per cent more thrust than its predecessor boosters to aid the SLS rocket’s ability.

Along with the twin solid rocket boosters, Northrop Grumman also produces the abort motor and attitude control motor for NASA’s Orion spacecraft’s Launch Abort System, increasing astronaut safety on pad and during ascent. The company further supports the Artemis programme by providing the Habitation and Logistics Outpost module for NASA’s lunar Gateway and internally developing a Lunar Terrain Vehicle that supports the human and robotic exploration of the moon and beyond.

Comments () Views (3762 ) Print

Send To Friend