Non-destructive, In-place Propellant Chemical Analyzer

Current solid rocket motor propellant chemically degrades over time, and the only available in-place testing requires manual placement, excessive labor, and disassembly and reassembly of the solid rocket motor. Mainstream proposes to develop a non-destructive spectroscopic based propellant analyzer that can determine chemical species, including binder, stabilizers, plasticizers, oxidizers, and other organic compounds with a custom insertion system to measure propellant in-place at multiple locations, several meters into the motor, and fit through a nozzle. The sensor head will contain a rastering tip that is connected to the measurement system and the sensor will meet all hazard of electromagnetic radiation to ordnance (HERO) requirements. Phase I will culminate in proof-of-concept demonstrations of all key measurements and Phase II will further refine, build, and demonstrate a prototype.