SRB-A

SRB-A is a series of Japanese solid-fueled rocket booster manufactured by IHI Corporation for use on the H-IIA, H-IIB, and Epsilon rockets.

Design

SRB-A is 2.5 meters in diameter, and 15.1 meters in length. Its casing is a Carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer filament wound composite. Two-axis attitude control is provided by electrically-actuated thrust vectoring.[1] The composite motor case design is based on technology used on the Castor 120 motor by Alliant Techsystems.[2]

Versions

SRB-A

The original SRB-A was developed for the H-IIA rocket, and was used on its first 6 flights. It was derived from the SRB used on H-II. During the sixth launch of an H-IIA, one of the boosters failed to separate due to a leak of hot gasses eroding the detachment points, causing the rocket to fail to reach orbit.[1][3]

SRB-A2

SRB-A2 was a planned upgrade, intended to replace SRB-A on H-IIA. Following the 2003 failure, it was cancelled and its design improvements were merged into the SRB-A Improved.

SRB-A Improved

An improved version of SRB-A was developed following the 2003 incident. The nozzle was changed from a conical to a bell shape, to reduce thermal loading and erosion. Its thrust was also reduced slightly, and its burn time lengthened, to further decrease heating. This version was flown on the seventh through the thirteenth H-IIA. However, the nozzle erosion problem was still not fully solved, leading to the development of the SRB-A3[1]

SRB-A3

SRB-A3 is the current version, redesigned to provide higher performance and improve reliability. It is available in two variants, one producing high thrust at a short duration burn, and the other with a longer duration lower thrust burn.[1] It has been used on all H-IIA flights past the thirteenth mission, as well as the H-IIB and as the first stage of Epsilon.[1][4][5]

References
  1. "SRB-A Engine Overview". JAXA. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
  2. "ATK Composite Technology Supports Maiden Flight of Japan's H-IIA Space Launch Vehicle". ATK. August 29, 2001. Archived from the original on 2013-12-26.
  3. Stephen Clark; Justin Ray (29 November 2003). "Japanese launch fails". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
  4. "H-IIB Launch Vehicle" (PDF). JAXA. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 26, 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
  5. "Epsilon Launch Vehicle" (PDF). JAXA. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
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