Theses and Dissertations
Issuing Body
Mississippi State University
Advisor
Olsen, D. Gregory
Committee Member
Newman Jr., C. James
Committee Member
Lacy Jr., E. Thomas
Date of Degree
5-2-2009
Document Type
Graduate Thesis - Open Access
Major
Aerospace Engineering
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.)
College
James Worth Bagley College of Engineering
Department
Department of Aerospace Engineering
Abstract
This thesis developed a linear shaped charge (LSC) separation mechanism capable of severing the interstage skin for first stage separation of the Ares I launch vehicle. The derived LSC design solution was found using available data on Explosive Technology’s Jetcord LSC and from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Marshall Space Flight Center’s (MSFC) desired characteristics. Mechanism components are designed after Minuteman III’s separation mechanism for first stage separation and NASA MSFC’s desired characteristics. Mechanism severance is verified through the use of the numerical method capability smoothed particle hydrodynamics that the hydrocode Autodyn offers. Three simulations are conducted to determine feasibility: the first of only the LSC exploding, to numerically validate the explosion process; the second of the LSC penetrating the target, to numerically validate the penetration process and failure mechanisms; and the last of the entire mechanism, to obtain information about the explosion, penetration, failure, and debris generated.
URI
https://hdl.handle.net/11668/15160
Recommended Citation
Chambers, Nicholas Roy, "Design and numerical simulation of a linear shaped charge separation mechanism for first stage separation of the Ares I launch vehicle" (2009). Theses and Dissertations. 1297.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/1297