Compact Boost Motor Propellant Stabilizer Sensor

Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs) used by the Navy have propellant formulations that contain highly energetic materials.  These propellant formulations are a complex combination of energetic materials (fuel and oxidizer) in a polymer binder with added plasticizers, curing and cross-linking agents, stabilizers, and other materials to improve the performance and lifetime of the propellant. Stabilizers are employed to protect the polymeric structure used in the propellant formulations.  There is a need for a sensor or a sensor suite that can non-destructively measure parameters that will allow the determination of the content and concentration of the stabilizer present in the propellant grain in areas of the motor bore that are difficult to access.  The long-term objective of this proposed work is to develop and evaluate a hyperspectral-based SRM propellant stabilizer sensor and associated system for positioning the sensor through the nozzle of the motor to non-destructively determine the concentration and content of the propellant stabilizers present.  Progress made during Phase I toward stakeholder engagement, design evaluation and development, and testing laid the foundation for the successful development of the needed system. Phase II will emphasize completing fundamental technology development, full system prototyping, and transitioning into application environment testing, with an emphasis on completing technical and manufacturing milestones needed to foster technology transition and adoption.