Booster rocket

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Booster in space-related applications has three common meanings:

  • The entire launch vehicle used to lift a payload or smaller space craft. In this context booster is synomous with "launch vehicle", or "launcher".
  • The strap-on rockets (usually solid fueled) to augment the lift capability of a liquid fueled launch vehicle. Initially all manned boosters and most unmanned boosters were liquid fueled, at least for the core launch vehicle. In aviation, boosters are often called JATO rockets.

The booster for most of the Mercury manned program was the Atlas, for Gemini it was a Titan II, and for Apollo it was usually the Saturn V.

While using a liquid fueled core vehicle, some launchers use "strap on" solid rockets to increase performance. One example is the Titan III and Titan IV.

Later with the advent of the Space Shuttle program, solid rockets were used for the first time in U.S. manned space launches. Solid rocket boosters were planned for the some Air Force programs such as the X-20 Dyna-Soar, but were ultimately never used.

In the U.S. space shuttle program, the term "booster" can refer to either the solid rocket boosters, or the entire vehicle as it ascends under powered flight, even after the solid rocket boosters are jettisoned.

When using solid rocket boosters, the liquid fuel core vehicle is sometimes ignited concurrently at liftoff (NASA space shuttle), or sometimes the vehicle lifts off solely under solid rocket power and the liquid fuel core is ignited at altitude (Titan III).

Various missiles also use solid rocket boosters. For example, see 2K11 (SA-4) or S-200 (SA-5).fr:Booster no:Drivstoffrakett

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