Using Shuttle SRB technology

"Brian Thorn" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 9 Feb 2010 10:58:20 -0500, "Jeff Findley"
wrote:

composites for the Shuttle at one point?

Yes, from dim memory:

The ASRM program used a different supplier for the composite wound
casings.
I'm not certain how far the rogram actually got before it was cancelled.
The casings promised to be lighter, and would therefore increase the
payload
capacity of the shuttle stack, particularly to high inclination orbits
(e.g.
polar orbits launched from Vandenburg). With the demise of Vandenburg as
a
launch site, the motivation for the project quickly evaporated.

I think you're confusing Filament-wound Solid Rocket Booster with the
Advanced Solid Rocket Motor. FWSRB was a composite casing version of
the standard SRB intended to improve Vandenberg performance and
vanished without a trace after 51L. ASRM was a later program intended
to increase payload for Space Station missions using a slightly
greater diameter steel casing made up of three segments (one fewer
field joint.)

You're right. I was thinking of the Filament-wound Solid Rocket Booster,
which was another aborted program.

Jeff
--
"Take heart amid the deepening gloom
that your dog is finally getting enough cheese" - Deteriorata - National
Lampoon