Solid Propellant Rocket Design,
Performance and Reliability

I am an independent consultant for internal ballistics of solid propellant rocket motors, charge design, reliability prediction and failure investigations. I offer professional consultancy to users and manufacturers of solid propellant rockets alongside talks and courses for universities, schools and general interest groups.
I am based near Birmingham in the centre of the UK.
Since 1978 I have been involved in the modelling, design, development and reliability prediction of most of the motors used in UK missile programmes as well as several programmes outside the UK. I have also been involved in the design and development of propelling charges for large calibre guns.

My experience with solid propellant rocket motors encompasses:

Charge Types:

• Case bonded

• Cartridge loaded

• Radial burning

• End burning

Applications:

• Eject Motors (All burned on Launch)

• Boost Motors (short burn time)

• Sustain Motors (burn times 10-100+s)

• Gas generators

Reliability Prediction:

• Monte Carlo Simulation

• Reliability Block Diagrams

• Fault Tree Analysis (FTA)

• Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA & FMECA)

Failure Investigation:

• Data Interpretation and Analysis

• High Speed Video Analysis

• Modelling of faults (voids, cracks etc)

I offer independent and impartial advice on solid propellant rocket performance, and undertake performance modelling, reliability prediction and failure investigations as well as providing instruction and I can run courses at your location.

Email me for further information on the services I offer. ian@rocket-workshops.co.uk

Propellant Types:

• Composite

• Single Base

• Double Base (Cast & Extruded)

• Nitramine filled Double Base