Studies on Starting Transient in Solid Rockets

Accurate description of starting transient history allows and justifies the use of small margin of safety for the engine parts, resulting in high motor mass ratio in addition to satisfying the control and guidance requirements of the vehicle. Studies have been carried out for the prediction and reduction of ignition peak and pressure-rise rate during the starting transient of solid rocket motors. Numerical studies have been carried out using a two dimensional Navier-Stokes solver. It has been inferred through the parametric studies that, in the case of solid rocket motors with uniform port, high ignition peak is observed at high spread rate and low pressure-rise rate. In the case of the port with sudden expansion configuration, high ignition peak is observed at relatively high average spread rate and high-pressure rise rate. These studies are expected to aid the designer in reducing the ignition peak by altering the propellant properties or igniter characteristics without sacrificing the motor performance.