Non-Invasive, Portable, Real-Time Sensor for Health Monitoring of Solid Rocket Motors

ABSTRACT: Physical Sciences Inc. proposes to design, develop, and demonstrate two types of affordable, portable, non-invasive, real-time sensors to assess over time the chemical and physical health of solid rocket motors without affecting the motor"s integrity. In Phase II, we will build upon our Phase I success to develop a sensor to monitor specific gas species that are markers of the chemical and mechanical aging processes of polybutadiene composite propellants. We will demonstrate and validate the efficacy of our prototype sensors in an analog motor to ensure system reliability. Several prototype sensors will be delivered to the Air Force for further evaluation at the system level. Following its existing approach to this sensor type, PSI will manufacture these sensors in conjunction with Vtech Technologies. The first transition path will be via Aerojet to the Minuteman III motor. BENEFIT: The proposed portable, non-invasive, real-time sensor will enable remote assessment of the propellant"s structural integrity in fielded SRM systems. The ability to assess the current and future state of missiles will improve the system"s performance and its reliability, while simultaneously reducing the life cycle cost. This type of sensor could provide a large cost savings to all systems employing energetic materials throughout the DoD, NASA, and commercial industry. Our sensor will offer significant advances over the current state of the art at affordable prices and with the ability to transition to fielded systems in the near term.