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Richards, M. C.

Publications and source records attributed to Richards, M. C..

RSRM-11 (36OW011) ballistics mass properties (STS-35)

The propulsion performance and reconstructed mass properties data from Thiolol's RSRM-11 motors which were assigned to the STS-35 launch are contained. The Thiokol manufacturing designations for the motors were 360W011A/360W011B, which are referred to as RSRM-11A and RSRM-B, respectively. The launch of STS-35 occurred on 2 December 1990 at the Eastern Test Range (ETR). The data contained herein was input to the STS-35 Flight Evaluation Report. The SRM propellant, TP-H1148, is a composite type solid propellants, formulated of polybutediene acrylic acid, acryonitrile terpolymer binder, epoxy curing agent, ammonium perchlorate oxidizer, and aluminum powder fuel. A small amount of burning rate catalyst (iron oxide) was added to achieve the desired propellant burn rate. The propellant evaluation and raw material information for the RSRM-11 are included. The ballistic performance presented was based on the Operational Flight Instrumentation (OFI) 12.5 sample per second pressure data for the steady state and tail off portion of the pressure trace. Recent studies have shown that the transducers are affected by the measuring system at KSC and temperature gradients created by the igniter heaters. Therefore, an adjustment to the data from each transducer is made to make the initial reading match the atmospheric pressure at the time of launch.

Hutchinson, B. J.↗

RSRM-13 (360Q013) ballistics mass properties flight designation STS-41

The propulsion performance and reconstructed mass properties data from Thiokol's RSRM-13 motors which were assigned to the STS-41 launch are presented. The SRM propellant, TP-H1148, is a composite type solid propellant, formulated of polybutadiene acrylic acid acryonitrile terpolymer binder, epoxy curing agent, ammonium perchlorate oxidizer, and aluminum powder fuel. A small amount of burning rate catalyst (iron oxide) was added to achieve the desired propellant burn rate. The propellant evaluation and raw material information are also presented. The presented ballistic performance was based on the Operational Flight Instrumentation. The adjustments made to the raw data on this flight include biasing the data to correct ambient pressure before liftoff. The performance from each motor as well as matched pair performance values were well within the CEI Specification requirements.

Laubacher, Brian A.↗

RSRM-9 (360L009): Ballistics mass properties

The propulsion performance and reconstructed mass properties data from Thiokol's RSRM-9 motors which were assigned to the STS-36 launch are presented. The SRM propellant, TP-H1148, is a composite type solid propellant, formulated of polybutadiene acrylic acid acryonitrile terpolymer binder (PBAN), epoxy curing agent, ammonium perchlorate oxidizer and aluminum powder fuel. A small amount of burning rate catalyst (iron oxide) was added to achieve the desired propellant burn rate. The propellant evaluation and raw material information for the RSRM-9 are included. The propellant grain design consists of four segments. There is a forward segment with an eleven point star with a transition into a tapered circular perforated (CP) configuration. There are two center segments that result in a double tapered CP configuration and an aft segment with a triple taper CP configuration and a cutout for the partially submerged nozzle. The ballistic performance presented is based on the Operational Flight Instrumentation (OFI) 12.5 sample per second pressure data for the steady state and tail off portion of the pressure trace. No high sample rate pressure gauges, Development Flight Instrumentation (DFI), were used on this flight and therefore no ignition data is presented.

Drendel, Albert S.↗

Ballistics/mass properties

The propulsion performance and reconstructed mass properties data from Morton Thiokol's RSRM-4 motors, which were assigned to the STS-30R launch, are presented. The composite type solid propellant burn rates were close to predicted. The performance of the pair of motors were compared to some CEI Specification CPW1-3600 for compliance. Some aspects of the CEI Specification could not be compared because of low sampling of data. The performance of the motors were well within the CEI specification requirements. Post flight reconstructured RSRM mass properties are within expected values for the RSRM quarterweight and halfweight configurations.

Drendel, Albert S.↗

RSRM-3 (360L003) Ballistics/Mass Properties Report

The propulsion performance and reconstructed mass properties data from Morton Thiokol's RSRM-3 motors which were assigned to the STS-29 launch are presented. The composite type solid propellant burn rates were close to predicted. The performance of the pair of motors were compared to some CEI Specifications. The performance from each motor as well as matched pair performance values were well within the CEI specification requirements. The nominal thrust time curve and impulse gate information is included. Post flight reconstructed Redesigned Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM) mass properties are within expected values for the lightweight configuration.

Laubacher, B. A.↗