Measurement Systems for Dual Range Rocket Motor Performance and LITVC Evaluation

Analysis results and relative merits of five measurement system techniques and transducer designs are discussed for providing accurate pressure and force definitions during static solid rocket motor firings with dual level ballistic performance or dual gain liquid injection thrust vector control (LITVC). The accuracy and reliability of each system depends upon the inherent capability and procedures maintained in each approach, the operational levels, and the specific applications; therefore, these factors are necessarily discussed in the text. An analysis of the described force and pressure measurement systems show how an instrumentation measurement system total error may vary from ±0.5% to ±10% depending on the emphasis placed upon the overall measurement system design, and the control exercised during use.