Solid Rocket Propulsion for Small-Satellite Applications

Thiokol Corporation has been a leading producer of space motors for more than 25 years. During this time, more than 2000 motors have successfully flown, representing a 0.998 reliability. These motors have ranged in size from 5 to 63 in. in diameter with propellant loadings of 4 to 7167 Ibm and were designed to allow performance tailoring in order to meet specific customer requirements. Thiokol offers many mature small motor designs that offer high reliability at a low cost for small-satellite applications. Motors used for small-satellite applications in the past generally had mass fractions of less than 0.89 and effective specific impulses of less than 288Ibf-seC/lbm. Recently, newer, higher-performing, higher-mass-fraction small space motors have been developed with higher-performing propellants, graphite cases, and thrust vector control. This paper discusses the availability, reliability, and motor modifications for existing designs and outlines new technologies available for small space motors