Transmitted Thrust on a Large Dual Rail Rocket Sled System
Abstract
A measurements program was conducted as part of the Tether Qualification Program. A large dual-rail sled system consisted of a pusher sled with two Sergeant rocket motors and two Improved Honest John (IHJ) rocket motors and a guidance system forebody. In the tether configuration, the two Sergeant motors are ignited at launch minus 10 seconds and excess fuel is burned off. The two IHJ motors are ignited later in the test profile to provide a step in acceleration profile which assists in identification and separation of guidance system errors. The prime instrumentation consisted of an instrumented bolt (force transducer) that connected the pusher sled to the forebody sled. Other instrumentation was added to the guidance forebody for correlation studies. Extremely good quality and consistent data was obtained on all instrumentation systems. Correlation studies were conducted whereby the theoretical quasi-steady state (Q.S.S.) transmitted thrust was compared to measured data and it was established that 35% of the total system drag was attributed to the pusher in the wake of the forebody. Several different approaches were made to correlate the oscillatory transmitted thrust to system parameters. The most acceptable times the predictable Q.S.S. transmitted thrust.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA137151
Entities
People
- Larry C. Mixon