Grand Central Rocket Co.

Abstract

BECAUSE of the security aspects involved in describing specific equipment-of-a rocket developing and manufacturing organization, this article is presented to make the reader generally aware of the products, facilities, and services available at Grand Central Rocket Co. Grand Central Rocket Co. is comprised of a team of engineering, scientific, and production personnel managed and directed by recognized leaders in the solid propellant rocket industry. The sole purpose of this team is to engage in applied research, development, and production of solid propellant power plants for all types of rocket applications. A major portion of effort is assigned to the design and development of high performance solid propellant rocket motors for missile propulsion systems. Several of the earliest proponents of solid propellant power plants for large guided missiles are now key personnel of Grand Central Rocket Co.—-men of vision who originally advocated, and actively participated in, the development of a series of large composite solid propellant missile power plants. With farsightedness, dedication, and determination, these men and their colleagues have pioneered the large missile concept in the composite solid propellant field. Their success can be measured by the ever-increasing numbers of missiles using such power plants. In order to develop missile power plants with still higher performance and even lower cost, Grand Central is constantly engaged in applied research of new propellant formulations. The aim of such research is to discover properties which can be applied to achieve increased versatility and usefulness of rockets. Grand Central's wealth of experience with composite solid propellants assures a sound fundamental approach to applied research problems. In a short time, Grand Central developed an entirely new high performance solid propellant which has been demonstrated in rocket motors to have important performance and cost advantages for missile propulsion. On another program, Grand Central developed a unique, low-cost propellant with low temperature, nontoxic, noncorrosive, smokeless exhaust gases. Still another recent development is a new high energy propellant. These and many other achievements are evidence of Grand Central's ability to pace the field as composite solid propellant specialists. Grand Central does not manufacture propellant raw materials but, rather, surveys the entire chemical industry before selecting the ingredients for new propellant formulations. All materials are purchased on a competitive market and must meet the most stringent of quality control specifications. A wide variety of Grand Central propellants are now available. However, Grand Central produces rocket power plants of any formulations selected by the customer. Because the solid propellant is the heart of solid propellant power plants, Grand Central has built its facilities primarily for development and production of propellants. However, in order to obtain integrated power plant efficiency, the metal components for the rocket power plant are usually under the control of Grand Central's design specialists. Actual fabrication of metal components is subcontracted to facilities specializing in the techniques required for the particular job. Subcontracts are awarded on a competitive basis to qualified fabricators and the components are subject to Grand Central inspection and quality control tests. Sometimes the customer furnishes his own metal components, in which case Grand