Rocket propulsion specialist Aerojet has test fired a large-scale controllable solid rocket motor, demonstrating a propulsion capability that could be used for flight control on NASA's Orion crew exploration vehicle.
The ability to control the thrust and flow direction of a solid rocket motor allows the simplicity of solids to be combined with the flexibility of liquids, says Aerojet.
The internally funded tests demonstrated a high-power electromechanical valve control system enabling "faster responding, smaller and more reliable controllable solids" says the company.
Related stories