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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER: United Space Alliance (USA) successfully tested the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) steering system redundancy and load limits in conjunction with a live motor test firing at the Alliant Techsystems facility in Promontory, Utah, this week.
This successful test will provide certification data for development of the steering system that will fly on the Ares I rocket. The Ares I will launch the Orion crew vehicle. Both are part of NASA's Constellation Program, which aims to return astronauts to the moon beginning in the next decade.
The USA-provided SRB Aft Structure Assemblies contain the steering systems for the Solid Rocket Motors. Each system is comprised of two independent but interconnected power systems that steer the SRB nozzles. In the event of loss of one of two power units, the remaining power unit is capable of operating both systems, thus maintaining steering capability for the Solid Rocket Motors that provide 6.4 million pounds of thrust during ascent of the Space Shuttle Vehicle.
During the full-scale motor firing, one power unit was intentionally disabled. The remaining power unit proved its capability to operate the steering system for the remainder of the test profile.
“Great work by the team,” said Howard DeCastro, USA Space Shuttle Program Manager. “This NASA-sponsored test was a significant step in validating the analytical models used to predict a safe flight with redundant steering systems, and it provides valuable information as we move forward with the next generation rockets.”
United Space Alliance is a world leader in space operations with extensive experience across NASA's human space flight programs. Headquartered in Houston and employing 10,000 people in Texas, Florida and Alabama, USA is applying its broad range of capabilities to NASA's Space Shuttle, International Space Station and Constellation programs as well as to space operations customers in the commercial and international space industry sectors.
