The book is a treatise on solid propellants in nine chapters, covering the history, chemistry, energetics, processing and characterization aspects of composite solid propellants, internal ballistics, advanced solid propellants, safety, quality and reliability and homogenous or double base propellants. The book also traces the evolution of solid propellant technology in ISRO for launch vehicles and sounding rockets. There is a detailed table of contents, expanded index, glossary, exhaustive references and questions in each chapter. It can be used as a textbook for science and engineering students, as a reference book for researchers and as a companion to scientists and engineers working in the research, development and production areas of solid propellants.

This book offers a comprehensive account of energetic materials, including their synthesis, computational modeling, applications, associated degradation mechanisms, environmental consequences and fate and transport. This multi-author contributed volume describes how armed forces around the world are moving their attention from legacy explosive compounds, which are heat and shock sensitive (thus posing greater challenges in terms of handling and storage), to the insensitive munitions compounds/formulations such as insensitive munitions explosive (IMX) and the Picatinny Arsenal Explosive (PAX) series of compounds. The description of energetic materials focuses on explosives, pyrotechnic compositions, and propellants. The contributors go on to explain how modern generation energetic compounds must be insensitive to shock and heat but at the same time yield more energy upon explosion. Nanoinspired and/or co-crystallized energetic materials offer another route to generate next-generation energetic materials, and this authoritative book bridges a large gap in the literature by providing a comprehensive analysis of these compounds. Additionally, it includes a valuable overview of energetic materials, a detailed discussion of recent advances on future energetic compounds, nanotechnology in energetic materials, environmental contamination and toxicity, assessment of munitions lethality, the application quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) in design of energetics and the fate and transport of munition compounds in the environment.

In Minuteman: A Technical History of the Missile That Defined American Nuclear Warfare, David K. Stumpf demystifies the intercontinental ballistic missile program that was conceived at the end of the Eisenhower administration as a key component of the US nuclear strategy of massive retaliation. Although its nuclear warhead may have lacked power relative to that of the Titan II, the Minuteman more than made up for this in terms of numbers and readiness to launch—making it the ultimate ICBM. Minuteman offers a fascinating look at the technological breakthroughs necessary to field this weapon system that has served as a powerful component of the strategic nuclear triad for more than half a century. With exacting detail, Stumpf examines the construction of launch and launch control facilities; innovations in solid propellant, lightweight inertial guidance systems, and lightweight reentry vehicle development; and key flight tests and operational flight programs—all while situating the Minuteman program in the context of world events. In doing so, the author reveals how the historic missile has adapted to changing defense strategies—from counterforce to mutually assured destruction to sufficiency.

The definitive text on rocket propulsion—now revised to reflect advancements in the field For sixty years, Sutton's Rocket Propulsion Elements has been regarded as the single most authoritative sourcebook on rocket propulsion technology. As with the previous edition, coauthored with Oscar Biblarz, the Eighth Edition of Rocket Propulsion Elements offers a thorough introduction to basic principles of rocket propulsion for guided missiles, space flight, or satellite flight. It describes the physical mechanisms and designs for various types of rockets' and provides an understanding of how rocket propulsion is applied to flying vehicles. Updated and strengthened throughout, the Eighth Edition explores: The fundamentals of rocket propulsion, its essential technologies, and its key design rationale The various types of rocket propulsion systems, physical phenomena, and essential relationships The latest advances in the field such as changes in materials, systems design, propellants, applications, and manufacturing technologies, with a separate new chapter devoted to turbopumps Liquid propellant rocket engines and solid propellant rocket motors, the two most prevalent of the rocket propulsion systems, with in-depth consideration of advances in hybrid rockets and electrical space propulsion Comprehensive and coherently organized, this seminal text guides readers evenhandedly through the complex factors that shape rocket propulsion, with both theory and practical design considerations. Professional engineers in the aerospace and defense industries as well as students in mechanical and aerospace engineering will find this updated classic indispensable for its scope of coverage and utility.