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Alcor (rocket engine)

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Alcor is the third stage of the Athena sounding rocket

Alcor (also known as Zebra or 30-KS-8000) was a solid rocket engine, originally developed by Aerojet for the US Air Force as the third stage of the Athena test vehicle.[1][2][3] Its main appeal was a high mass fraction due to the Aerowrap chamber fabrication process. However, production issues with joint sections limited its use. Alcor engines were used from 1960 to 1977.[1]

The original version was used on a series of rockets: Blue Scout Jr, Blue Scout Junior, Astrobee 200, Blue Scout Jr SLV-1C, RAM B, Blue Scout Jr SLV-1B(m), Athena RTV, Strypi VI and Strypi VIIAR.[1]

Alcor 1A was used on the Athena H sounding rocket

Initially produced with polyurethane propellant, it transitioned to polybutadiene, leading to the Alcor 1A (23KS-11000) variant.[1][4][5] This variant featured improved nozzle, chamber insulation, and expansion ratio, increasing the mass fraction from 0.886 to 0.906. Both Alcor 1 and 1A were used in Astrobee 500 and 1500 vehicles.[1] Alcor 1A was used on the Athena H.[4][6]

Another improvement occurred late in 1965, with the introduction of an all welded titanium chamber, resulting in the Alcor 1B variant.[1][7][8] Alcor 1B was used on the Strypi VIIR.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Alcor". astronautix.com. Retrieved 2025-01-20.
  2. ^ Gatland, Kenneth (1964). Spacecraft and Boosters. London: Iliffe Books. p. 249.
  3. ^ Dorman, Bernie (1995). Aerojet: The Creative Company. Los Angeles: Stuart F Cooper Company. p. 480. ISBN 9780965976909.
  4. ^ a b "23KS11000". astronautix.com. Retrieved 2025-01-20.
  5. ^ ROCKET MOTOR SPIN DATA SUMMARY (PDF). NASA Langley Research Center. 1964. p. 9.
  6. ^ "Athena H". astronautix.com. Retrieved 2025-01-20.
  7. ^ a b "Alcor 1B". astronautix.com. Retrieved 2025-01-20.
  8. ^ "PERFORMANCE OF THE ALCOR 1B SOLID-PROPELLANT ROCKET MOTOR UNDER THE COMBINED EFFECTS OF ROTATIONAL SPIN AND SIMULATED ALTITUDE". DTIC. Archived from the original on 2023-06-06. Retrieved 2025-01-20.