Speakers
Description
This presentation concerns an overview of development of propulsion system consisting of Solid Rocket Motor and Thrust Vector Control designed at the Lukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Aviation in Warsaw, Poland (L-IoA).
The protection of Earth’s orbit environment has become one of the main interest at the L-IoA. After successful pre-qualification of a solid propellant, which shall be compliant with the solid particles generation restrictions proposed by ESA, preparation for the rocket motor development with dedicated thrust vectoring system has been started. One of the greatest challenge introduced by deorbitation purpose for a solid motor is extremely long burn time due to acceleration limits, imposed by fragile, deployable appendages. That requirement results in necessity to pay special attention to various design features, i.a. material selection, thermal protection strategy. The unique propellant and its exhaust gases decomposition can be also challenging in terms of design, especially for the thrust vectoring system based on outside flap concept. The mechanism introduces a system of movable deflectors which are built around outer nozzle of the motor. When needed, a flap slides into the exhaust gases producing perpendicular (to the axial thrust) force, resulting in a moment with regards to the vehicle centre of gravity, which in the end results in a turn.
Currently separated two projects (first concerning SRM and second TVC) are ran closely together in order to ensure full mechanical, thermal and electronic fit and compatibility for the whole propulsion system.
