Heritage and Innovation: Solid Propellants Throughout a Century of Rocket Development
A special issue of Aerospace (ISSN 2226-4310). This special issue belongs to the section "Astronautics & Space Science".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 2
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Since Alfred Nobel invented double-base smokeless powder in 1888, solid propellants have undergone nearly 140 years of development. This evolution has progressed through double-base propellants, modified double-base propellants, and composite propellants—with the latter further branching into distinct developmental stages including polysulfide, carboxyl-terminated polybutadiene (CTPB), hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), and nitrate ester plasticized polyether (NEPE). Each breakthrough in propellant technology has inevitably driven revolutionary upgrades in rocket systems.
The year 2026 will mark a full century since Robert H. Goddard, the father of modern rocketry, successfully launched the world’s first liquid-propelled rocket in 1926. Despite this initial use of liquid propellants, solid propellants now dominate half of the rocket propulsion landscape. As we approach this centennial milestone and look ahead to the next century, what future trajectory will solid propellants follow?
This Special Issue focuses on the heritage and innovation of solid propellant technology. Submissions are invited across these key areas:
- Formulation and performance characterization of solid propellants.
- Combustion mechanisms of solid propellants.
- Multiphase combustion products of solid propellants.
- Solid propellant grain design, manufacturing, and application.
Contributions featuring revolutionary innovations, unconventional methodologies, or significant practical applications are particularly encouraged.
Prof. Dr. Xiang Lv
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- solid rocket motor
- solid propellant
- energetic materials
- grain design
- combustion instability
- structural integrity
- numerical simulation
- measurement and test
- combustion diagnostics
- multiphase flow combustion
- combustion mechanism
- additive manufacturing
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