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ABL X-248

The X-248 was a solid rocket motor from Hercules–Allegany Ballistics Laboratory, used in early upper-stage applications. NASA Langley identifies its propellant as cast double-base with 3% aluminum and documents how motor performance could vary under spin. The laboratory designation distinguishes this historical motor from ABL Space Systems’ much later E2 liquid-engine family.

ABL X-248
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Identity

Aliases
Grand Central 133-KS-2800 or ABL X-248Altair I
Domains
spaceflight
Identity Level
model
Kind
solid-rocket-motor
Name
ABL X-248
Status
historical

Details

Description
The X-248 was a solid rocket motor from Hercules–Allegany Ballistics Laboratory, used in early upper-stage applications. NASA Langley identifies its propellant as cast double-base with 3% aluminum and documents how motor performance could vary under spin. The laboratory designation distinguishes this historical motor from ABL Space Systems’ much later E2 liquid-engine family.
Propellants
aluminized double-base solid propellant

Links

Official Url
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19880016045/downloads/19880016045.pdf

Assets & Meta

Creation Time
July 29, 2026 at 08:03:19 UTC
Updated Time
October 17, 2026 at 00:53:17 UTC
Image
Download

Other

Sources
  • Accessed Date
    2026-10-17
    Note
    NASA Langley’s report identifies the Hercules–Allegany Ballistics Laboratory X-248 and its cast double-base propellant containing 3% aluminum, discusses spin sensitivity, and cites manufacturer testing in support of Javelin. These are motor-specific identity and propellant details; no universal thrust rating is inferred from a spin test.
    Publisher
    NASA Technical Reports Server
    Title
    Rocket motor spin data summary: ABL X-248
    Url
    https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19660006006/downloads/19660006006.pdf
  • Accessed Date
    2026-07-29
    Note
    Supports the legacy vehicle installation and the narrow canonical identity used for migration.
    Publisher
    Official vehicle or program source
    Title
    Thor-Able IV Launch Vehicle official vehicle reference
    Url
    https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19880016045/downloads/19880016045.pdf
  • Accessed Date
    2026-07-29
    Note
    Supports the legacy vehicle installation and the narrow canonical identity used for migration.
    Publisher
    Official vehicle or program source
    Title
    Thor-Able I Lunar Launch Vehicle official vehicle reference
    Url
    https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19980230605
  • Accessed Date
    2026-07-29
    Note
    Supports the legacy vehicle installation and the narrow canonical identity used for migration.
    Publisher
    Official vehicle or program source
    Title
    Atlas-Able Lunar Launch Vehicle official vehicle reference
    Url
    https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DSC_monograph24.pdf