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The History of Solid-Propellant Rocketry
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J.D. Hutley, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center Historian

Your first resource for unusual, hard-to-find, out-of-print, and historic books about rockets, missiles, propulsion, and space.
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The History of Solid-Propellant Rocketry
.
J.D. Hutley, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center Historian 
Edwards, California

A comprehensive and in-depth 1999 report covering the development of castable double-base and composite propellants, from World War II research through modern formulations used in a spectrum of rockets, missiles, and spacecraft worldwide.  Details the many separate lines of research that led to the development of large solid propellant motors and boosters.  The best book we've seen on this subject.

Based upon many years of research on many groups:

  • California Institute of Technology (CalTech)
  • Guggenheim Aeronautical Laboratory at CalTech (GALCIT)
  • Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
  • Naval Proving Ground (Indian Head)
  • Allegany Ballistics Laboratory (ABL)
  • Explosives Research Lab (Bruceton)
  • Aerojet-General 
  • Thiokol Chemical
  • Hercules Powder
  • Lockheed Aircraft
  • Atlantic Research
  • United Technology - Pratt & Whitney
Covers:
  • Goddard's solid propellant work
  • John Parson's discovery of asphalt-perchlorate composite propellant
  • Charles Bartley's development of Thiokol polysulfide fuels
  • Rumbel and Henderson's discovery of aluminum powder additives to increase ISp
  • Karl Klager's polyurethane propellant development work at Aerojet
  • Ernie Sutton's polysulfide projects at Thiokol
  • Huntsville chemist's discovery of PBAA fuels
  • Evolution from potassium perchlorate (KClO4) to ammonium perchlorate (NH4ClO4) oxidizers
  • Development of advanced binders
  • Discoveries by thinking "outside the box" and exchange of information
  • Work of John Kincaid and Henry Shuey with castable double-base propellants at Hercules
  • Hercules development of Nike, Honest John, Sparrow, and Terrier propellants
  • Edward Hall's funding for advanced USAF solid propellant research
Includes detailed information about solid propellants used in:
  • Polaris (US Navy)
  • Minuteman (US Air Force)
  • Sergeant (US Army)
  • Titan 3 and 4
  • Titan Centaur
  • Space Shuttle boosters
Includes:
  • Table of missiles and boosters, with propellant performance and grain configuration data 
  • Several advanced solid formulations
  • 18 references for further studies
Includes many solid propellant types:
  • CMDB (composite-modified double base)
  • CTPB (carboxyl-terminated polybutadiene)
  • HMX (tetramethyulene tetranitramine)
  • HTPB (hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene)
  • PBAA (polybutadiene-acrylic acid)
  • PBAN (acrylic acid, acrylonitrile, and butadiene terpolymer)

Sample Illustrations
(here greatly reduced in size and resolution)

If you need more details about this book, send us a note by e-mail and we'll assist.
If you need more details about this book, send us a note by e-mail and we'll assist.
If you need more details about this book, send us a note by e-mail and we'll assist.If you need more details about this book, send us a note by e-mail and we'll assist.

A fascinating read and exceptional reference resource for experimental rocket scientists, engineers, chemists, and space propulsion buffs.  

Hard to find and now out-of-print, this keen NASA study has been republished by the Rocket Science Institute.  It's printed directly from a NASA digital document file, with a high-resolution laser printer on high-quality, bright-white, acid-free paper and nicely bound for years of reference use.  10 pages, large and easy-to-read 11" x 8-1/2" size.  $19.95

 
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The Rocket Science Institute is a non-profit scientific and educational foundation in support of "amateur" experimental rocket science, engineering, and technology.

Rocket Science Institute, Inc., P.O. Box 1401, South Lake Tahoe, California 96156 USA     •     e-mail: rocketsciencebooks@att.net

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Nitrate-type Propellants Group

Your first resource for unusual NASA, JPL, GALCIT, USAF, NACA, military, industrial, educational, and how-to books, documents, and patents
Your first resource for unusual, hard-to-find, out-of-print, and historic Goddard, NASA, JPL, GALCIT, USAF, NACA, military, industrial, educational, and "how-to" books, documents, and patents about aerospace, astronauts, and astronautics; the space shuttle, satellites, spacecraft; rocketry propulsion systems; liquid fuel and solid propellant engines; and missile testing.  Plus unique reference books on chemistry, engineering, and safety with rocket fuels, oxidizers, and propellants; igniters, pyrotechnics, pyro devices, fireworks, and explosives; rocket and pulsejet-propelled model airplanes with DynaJets and Jetex.