Combustion behaviour of composite propellant at sub-atmospheric pressure

A family of four composite propellants has been investigated with regard to its combustion behaviour at low pressure. The effect of initial propellant temperature is very severe and sometimes leads to unexpected results, the burning rate being higher at low temperatures. The propellant temperature sensitivity σ_p shows a correlation with temperature and propellant composition. Combustion instability predominantly occurs below 55 kPa and seems to be related to the propellant combustion process itself.