Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) Retrieval Equipments, An Overview

A cost effective recovery system of the Solid Rocket Boosters (SRB) and associated hardware has been established to provide significant cost savings for the Shuttle Program. On each flight of the Space Shuttle Orbiter, two SRB's will be separated from the Orbiter after expending their fuel. They are decelerated by three main parachutes. The SRB frustum and drogue will separate from the booster upon deployment of the main parachutes and descend to the ocean. Upon impact, the main parachutes will separate from the SRB and float suspended from flotation units attached to the apex of each parachute. The frustum will float with the apex of its truncated cone pointing downwards, with the drogue parachute still attached. The SRB's will ingest water until they stabilize in the "spar" mode. For each flight mission there will be a total of 12 elements subject to retrieval, consisting of: two SRB casings, six main parachutes, two frustums, and two drogue parachutes. Each of these elements will be equipped with location aids. Following splashdown, retrieval vessels will enter the area and recover all the reusable components.