Advanced Divert and Attitude Control Materials

This program proposes to investigate and demonstrate novel composite material concepts and approaches for advanced solid propellant divert and attitude control (DACS) system components. Fiber Materials Inc. (FMI) teamed with Aerojet propose to investigatethe feasibility and demonstrate the application of carbon fiber reinforced carbon silicon carbide (C-SiC) composite material technology to an ACS-type thruster body. This innovation will transition current technology from a multi-component mixed metal andceramic construction to a unitary ceramic composite design. This will reduce part count, cost, and supports higher performance advanced design DACS and strategic reentry vehicle post boost control systems (PBCS). The material will be engineered for usewith systems operating in the 3700¿F temperature regime at pressures greater than the current state of the art design. Preliminary conceptual design and thermal/stress assessments will be accomplished in Phase I. The Phase I assessments will be used as abasis for varying carbon fiber perform weave design and/or process parameters as required to meet the operational end use requirements. In Phase II, final design analysis activities will support a thruster body both for characterization and hot gasdemonstration. During Phase II, joining, attachment and insulation methods defined during Phase I will also be demonstrated. The direct benefit will be the development of durable, high performance, lower cost, lighter weight composites for utilizationwith advanced divert and attitude control systems and strategic reentry vehicle post boost control systems (PBCS). These materials will be directly transferable for use as hot gas thrusters in solid strategic missiles as well as other components forcommercial and NASA launch vehicles. Additional commercial applicability includes use with solid-propellant gas generators for automotive air bags.