Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs) used by the Navy have propellant formulations that contain highly energetic materials. These propellant formulations are a complex combination of energetic materials (fuel and oxidizer) in a polymer binder with added plasticizers, curing and cross-linking agents, stabilizers, and other materials to improve the performance and lifetime of the propellant. Stabilizers are employed to protect the polymeric structure used in the propellant formulations. There is a need for a sensor or a sensor suite that can non-destructively measure parameters that will allow the determination of the content and concentration of the stabilizer present in the propellant grain in areas of the motor bore that are difficult to access. The long-term objective of this proposed work is to develop and evaluate a hyperspectral-based SRM propellant stabilizer sensor and associated system for positioning the sensor through the nozzle of the motor to non-destructively determine the concentration and content of the propellant stabilizers present. The Phase I effort will focus on an in-depth study of how the technology can and should be adapted for target use cases, spectral machine learning algorithm evaluation, detailed design development and risk assessment, and laboratory scale experimental testing/demonstration of modified measurement hardware/firmware with relevant material targets. If successful, Sporian will be well positioned for the Phase II efforts focused on full system prototyping and application environment testing/deployment.
Benefit: Sporian anticipates development of a compact, low power propellant stabilizer sensor based on hyperspectral imaging, along with the associated sensor positioning system for analysis and management of rocket motor health, with anticipated benefits including enhanced mission readiness, increased knowledge of the solid rocket motor fleet, improved maintenance, and reduced support costs. The proposed technology will also potentially facilitate similar benefits in the safety for Air Force and other triservice solid rocket motors through critical systems monitoring. Similarly, this sensing platform can be used for many other non-defense applications ranging from recycling to precision agriculture to mining and oil and gas exploration.
Keywords: Non-Destructive Measurement, Non-Destructive Measurement, Low Molecular Weight Aromatic Compounds, Hyperspectral Imaging, Solid Rocket Motor, Stabilizer Measurement, Propellant, Compact Multi-Spectral Spectrometer
