Fresh approach to solid rocket motor design

The possibility of improving the performance of commercial carrier rockets launched from water (surface) through the use of water as the working medium in booster solid-propellant rocket motors (SRMs) is considered. Two ways are suggested: 1) before blasting off, the free inner volumes of the rocket motor are filled with water that is displaced in launching, and 2) water is supplied while the motor is running. This article reports the results of experiments carried out with solid propellant samples and model setups. The results prove the validity of the proposed methods and allow the refinement of calculation techniques for the prediction of SRM performance characteristics. The serviceability of the solid propellant charges working in combination with water is demonstrated. A mathematical model is proposed for the operation of a hydrocombined propellant motor with water and powdered additives applied to the combustion chamber.