Industry Jockeys Over ICBM Motors For Commercial Space Launch, Defense News “Newer companies generally use liquid-fuel rocket technology, considered more cost-effective for certain missions. It only makes financial sense to build a commercial version of a launch vehicle fueled by solid ICBM rocket motors if the US government pays the majority of the cost, argued Richard DalBello, Virgin Galactic vice president for business development and government affairs. “I have heard […]

NASA’s Space Launch System Booster Thunders During Successful Ground Test “The largest, most powerful rocket booster ever built successfully fired up Wednesday …” Aerojet, Wikipedia “Between Sept. 25, 1965 and June 17, 1967, three static test firings were done. SL-1 was fired at night, and the flame was clearly visible from Miami 50 km away, producing over 3 million pounds of thrust. SL-2 was fired with similar success and relatively […]

Draft Letter to NASA in Support of Solid Rocket Motors Circulating on Capitol Hill “As you know, the final design of the SLS is long overdue. This is perplexing since the parameters for the final design are clearly articulated in the Authorization and Appropriations Acts. The Authorization Act clearly states the SLS “shall be designed from inception as a fully integrated vehicle capable of carrying a total payload of 130 […]

Report to Congress on the Solid Rocket Motor Industrial Base Sustainment and Implementation Plan Redacted Version (Excerpt), DoD “Based on the analysis and findings of the Interagency Task Force, the DoD concludes: 1. The Department must preserve the scientific, engineering and design skills and production capabilities necessary to support both large- and small-SRMs. The DoD cannot allow the SRM industrial base to shut down until DoD determines its next generation […]

Solid rocket industry needs consolidation-Pentagon, Reuter “The U.S. solid rocket motor industry is “over capacity” and needs consolidation, the Pentagon’s top official for industrial policy said. “It is over capacity right now,” Brett Lambert said at the Farnborough Airshow on Monday, adding a consolidation was long overdue.” Keith’s note: I’m confused. First DoD complains that cuts to solid rocket motor production capacity and procurement options resulting from Constellation cancellation would […]