Friday, November 21, 2008

GEM

IOC: 1989
Total Production: 900

GEM 46

IOC: 1997
Production: 75

Origin
United States of America

Contractor/s
ATK Alliant Techsystems

Applications
Delta III

Family Members
GEM 40
GEM 60

Description: The Graphite Epoxy Motor (GEM) booster was designed to increase the launch capability of Boeing Delta II rocket. GEMs provide outstanding reliability and lower costs over their predecessors.

The GEM 46 is a derivative of proven GEM 40 booster tailored for use by the Delta III launch vehicle. It features improved performance and vectorable nozzles on 3 of 6 ground-start motors. This booster only accepts a 9 motors configuration (3 air-start, 3 ground-start with fixed nozzles and 3 ground-start with vectorable nozzles). GEM 46 was available for use assisting the Delta III rocket in 1997.

Specifications
Dimensions: Diameter 1,170 mm, Length 13.0 m

Weights: Max Weight 16,865 kg (37,180 lb)

Operators

United States of America

Notes
(*) lead contractor
IOC: Initial Operating Capability
FOC: Full Operating Capability
CEP: Circular Error Probable
Comm: Commissioning Date
Meters (m) Kilometers (km) Nautic Miles (nm) Inch (in) Yard (yd) Foot (ft) Millimeter (mm)
Pound (lb) Kilogram (kg) kN (KiloNewton) Ton (t)
Meters per Second (mps) Kilometers per Hour (kph) Knot (kt) Miles per Hour (mph)
Liter (l) Galon (gl)
Year (yr) Minutes (min) Second (sec)
Shaft-Horse-Power (shp)

Last Updated: Saturday, October 25, 2008

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