This article gives a short introduction into the technology of gelled propellant rocket motors and gas generators. A brief introduction outlines the specific features of the German green gelled propellant rocket motor technology and the family of monopropellants that cover a variety of requirements with respect to smoke, combustion temperature, and combustion pressure ranges. The discussion of the hazard potential comprises military insensitive munitions (IM) and civil classifications as well as a comparative assessment of the environmental and health impacts from manufacturing over use and finally to disposal. Summarizing the properties over all categories shows that gelled propellants provide a unique combination of good insensitivity and low environmental and health hazard potential compared to other liquid propellants, fuels, and oxidizers or solid rocket propellants.

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Abstract. For aerodynamic force measurement in shock tunnels and similar short duration aerodynamic testing facilities we have developed a novel measurement technique. Its key feature is a mounting support, which releases the test model and grips it again after a free flight duration of about 10 milliseconds. The model is equipped with small accelerometers and may contain additional installations. The short free flight allows the use of thin wires because the model travels only a few millimeters during this time. Validation experiments with a cone-cylinder of known drag coefficient show good accuracy with a response time of about half a millisecond. Pitot pressure measurement and suitable data processing allow for direct evaluation of aerodynamic coefficients in slowly changing flow.

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