The History of Solid Rocket Propulsion and Aerojet

Abstract

Much of the early history of rocket propulsion has not been the subject of organized historical documentation, and with the passage of time, and proliferation of organizational changes, the prospects for developing a clear picture of past events and fading. These papers, and the book, upon which it is based, attempt to rectify this situation to the maximum extent possible - at least from the viewpoint of one of the major players in the field. Aerojet's role in solid propellant rocketry is described for the period of 1942 through the 1990s. The subject is addressed in terms of programs and technology, and an attempt is made to include insights into the industry, competitive, customer, and applications aspects. origins of some of the basic enabling technologies are described, especially in terms of propellants, motor cases, and the many innovative control concepts that have given solid rockets much of their versatility.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1999
Accession Number
ADA406104

Entities

People

  • Philip D. Umholtz

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Ballistic Missiles
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Combustion
  • Composite Materials
  • Contracts
  • Double Base Propellants
  • Fleet Ballistic Missiles
  • Gunpowder
  • Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Science
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Rocket Engines
  • Rockets
  • Solid Propellants

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Rocket Propulsion.
  • Strategic Security Studies
  • Theoretical Analysis.