A collection of different materials, all single use in their own way. The outer ones bring back good memories of prior launches (I’ll post clickable thumbnails below).
The crusty ones up front are phenolic N and M-motor nozzles and are meant to be single use. The retention ring on the left is all that remains of my big V-2. The solid graphite Q motor nozzles in back are meant to be reusable, and that works for the smaller sizes, but for a 8 ft.-tall beast of a motor like the Loki, the graphite conducts too much heat to the aluminum casing, damaging it. The graphite is fine, but the metal can’t take the heat. So RocketMavericks and others are redesigning it to have a graphite core surrounded by a composite insulating ring.
In the middle is the 8.5”-tall divergent nozzle section from a NATO Mark 6 Mod 3 Sparrow that comes from the estate of a NASA employee. It is made of metal, and it also single use, being a tactical radar-guided missile and all. =)
I notice that it is threaded and wonder if that allows for flexibility in the thrust curve for the various configurations of the missile. The primary configuration is as Navy defense system against anti-ship cruise missiles.
The Mark 6 Mod 2 is a video rocket, one of my favorite kinds. It carries a “Low Light Level Television (LLLTV). The LLLTV is designed to be used as an adjunct sensor during all NSSMS (NATO Seasparrow Surface Missile System) operational conditions in support of visual threat recognition, fire control tracking during casualty states, detection and evaluation of multiple threats, and kill/survive assessment during missile engagements.” (from the product handbook)
P.S. That handbook also has an appendix of acronyms like FRACAS (Failure Reporting, Analysis and Corrective Action) and a form letter template for purchase on p.34.
“The purpose of this letter is to inform you of the interest by the Government of . country . in the possible purchase and installation of the Evolved Seasparrow Missile (ESSM) in . fill in ship class . .”
Somehow I thought procurement process was more sophisticated for a guided missile.
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