Start Date
25-4-1989 2:00 PM
Description
The Advanced Solid Rocket Motor (ASRM) is a150-in. diameter segmented motor design that incorporates substantive design changes to improve the reliability and design safety margins of the space shuttle system. The new motor thrust characteristics are tailored to preclude the necessity for throttling the Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSME) during the period of maximum dynamic pressure. This reduces or eliminates about 175 criticality 1/1R failure modes for the shuttle system. Furthermore, the ASRM is designed to provide a 12,000 Ib payload improvement which will support space station development and other critical NASA missions.
To achieve the level of process control and automation needed for high quality, reproducibility, and improved reliability, NASA concluded that a substantially new modern, fully-automated facility is required. Sites selected to produce and test the ASRM are the TVA Yellow Creek Mississippi site and the Stennis Space Center site, respectively.
The ASRM design/program evolved from Phase A studies conducted in late 1986 and Phase B studies conducted from mid-1987 to April 1988. All major solid propulsion contractors participated in these studies. The study results culminated in the release of an ASRM Request for Proposals (phase C/D) October 31, 1988. Authority to proceed (ATP) with the Development and Verification Program is currently planned for April 1, 1989, with the first ASRM Shuttle development flight tentatively scheduled for late 1994.
Paper Session I-A - Advanced Solid Rocket Motor (ASRM)
The Advanced Solid Rocket Motor (ASRM) is a150-in. diameter segmented motor design that incorporates substantive design changes to improve the reliability and design safety margins of the space shuttle system. The new motor thrust characteristics are tailored to preclude the necessity for throttling the Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSME) during the period of maximum dynamic pressure. This reduces or eliminates about 175 criticality 1/1R failure modes for the shuttle system. Furthermore, the ASRM is designed to provide a 12,000 Ib payload improvement which will support space station development and other critical NASA missions.
To achieve the level of process control and automation needed for high quality, reproducibility, and improved reliability, NASA concluded that a substantially new modern, fully-automated facility is required. Sites selected to produce and test the ASRM are the TVA Yellow Creek Mississippi site and the Stennis Space Center site, respectively.
The ASRM design/program evolved from Phase A studies conducted in late 1986 and Phase B studies conducted from mid-1987 to April 1988. All major solid propulsion contractors participated in these studies. The study results culminated in the release of an ASRM Request for Proposals (phase C/D) October 31, 1988. Authority to proceed (ATP) with the Development and Verification Program is currently planned for April 1, 1989, with the first ASRM Shuttle development flight tentatively scheduled for late 1994.
Comments
NSTS – The Next Generation
Session Chairman: Jack Harden, Associate Director, STS Management and Operations, NASA KSC
Session Organizer: Karin Biega, Mission Planning Office, STS Management and Operations, NASA KSC