Re: GRIFFIN'S DRIVE FOR SHUTTLE-DERIVED

Pat Flannery <flanner@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>Jeff Findley wrote:
>>Surely you jest. It's got to the the most complex SRB ever built.
>
>Which isn't saying much- it's basicly an oversized JATO bottle with a
>guidence system and swiveling nozzle at the bottom; no turbopumps, no
>feed plumbing, no cyrogenics, and a tough case that doesn't need
>insulation on it.

Pat, please, that is a grossly simplistic analysis of
the Shuttle SRBs. Such ridiculous handwaving is technically
not credible, regardless of whether the SRB is a viable
launcher baseline or not.

>> The
>>thrust vector control system is pretty complex.
>>
>
>It's a gimbaling assembly on the nozzle, and hasn't screwed up yet

Actually, I recall we very nearly lost a Shuttle due to
one of the actuators coming close to failure.

>If
>you did want to simplify it even more you could do some sort of fluid
>injection like on the earlier solids for TVC.

A simple concept, but requiring new development and qualification.

>> Remember the joints aren't simple
>>either, and I'm talking not only about the casings, but the fuel itself.
>>Simple SRB's don't have segments and have their fuel cast in one piece to
>>eliminate joints, which are a possible point for burn through issues.
>
>We had one burn through in 113 flights, and we redesigned the SRB after
>that for better relibility.

One burnthrough and seven or so near burnthroughs.

Redesigned or not, joints are a failure point.


-george william herbert
gherbert@xxxxxxxxx / gherbert@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Briefing on SRB based CEV at NPS with Scott Horowitz
    ... The Challenger type burnthrough would be relatively harmless on ... other than slowly eroding a hole in the SRB. ... Which the Challenger burnthrough would not have done fast enough ... to cause a flight accident, if I recall the analysis right. ...
    (sci.space.policy)
  • Re: Wholl Take the Fall for Lockheed/NASA This Time?
    ... effect, once the mounting was cut, the stresses were different and the burn ... The time you give, Brian, for when "the burn through subsided" is so ... "intermittent" portion of the SRB flame leak which you mention ... Near the point of structural break-up the right SRB thrust was 24 psi ...
    (sci.space.shuttle)
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