EVALUATION OF TWO RADIO ASTRONOMY EXPLORER SPACECRAFT APOGEE KICK MOTORS TESTED IN THE SPIN MODE AT SIMULATED ALTITUDE CONDITIONS

Abstract

Two Thiokol Chemical Corporation TE-M-479 solid-propellant apogee rocket motors each installed in a Radio Astronomy Explorer (RAE) spacecraft shell were fired at average pressure altitudes in excess of 118,000 ft while spinning at 75 rpm. The primary objectives of the test were to: evaluate the ignition characteristics of the motor when ignited with one Pyrogen igniter, determine motor vacuum ballistic performance when pre-conditioned at 40 and 90 F, evaluate motor tailoff characteristics, and evaluate motor structural integrity and determine motor temperature-time history during and after motor operation. Secondary objectives were to measure motor thrust misalignment and thermal inputs into the RAE spacecraft resulting from motor operation. Both motors ignited satisfactorily.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1967
Accession Number
AD0817821

Entities

People

  • D. W. White
  • J. E. Harris

Organizations

  • Arnold Engineering Development Complex

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Altitude
  • Astronomy
  • Export Controls
  • Government (Foreign)
  • Governments
  • Igniters
  • Ignition
  • Ignition Lag
  • Load Cells
  • Measurement
  • Pyrogen Igniters
  • Radio Astronomy
  • Rocket Engines
  • Solid Propellants
  • Space Flight
  • Strain Gages
  • Structural Integrity

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics.
  • Rocket Propulsion.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster