GEM 46
GEM 46 is the enlarged GEM 40 derivative used on Delta III and Delta II Heavy. Fixed ground- and air-start configurations and a vectorable ground-start version have distinct ratings. Catalogue burn times are 75.9 s for fixed nozzles and 76.9 s for the vectorable version.
Identity
- Aliases
- GEM-46Graphite Epoxy Motor 46
- Domains
- spaceflight
- Identity Level
- variant
- Kind
- solid-rocket-motor
- Name
- GEM 46
- Status
- retired
Details
- Description
- GEM 46 is the enlarged GEM 40 derivative used on Delta III and Delta II Heavy. Fixed ground- and air-start configurations and a vectorable ground-start version have distinct ratings. Catalogue burn times are 75.9 s for fixed nozzles and 76.9 s for the vectorable version.
- Developers
- Family
- Lineage
- Note
- Northrop Grumman describes GEM 46 as a larger derivative of GEM 40 and identifies its Delta III use.
- Related Propulsion System
- Relationship
- direct-derivative-of
- Sources
- Accessed Date
- 2026-08-01
- Note
- The catalog calls GEM 46 a larger derivative of GEM 40 and states that it was used on Delta III and Delta II Heavy.
- Publisher
- Northrop Grumman
- Title
- GEM Motor Series Propulsion Products Catalog
- Manufacturers
- Propellants
- solid propellant
Links
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 1, 2026 at 11:27:00 UTC
- Updated Time
- October 29, 2026 at 15:55:49 UTC
Other
- Sources
- Accessed Date
- 2026-08-01
- Note
- Northrop identifies GEM 46 as a larger GEM 40 derivative used on Delta III and Delta II Heavy.
- Publisher
- Northrop Grumman
- Title
- GEM Motor Series Propulsion Products Catalog
- Accessed Date
- 2026-08-01
- Note
- Boeing’s Delta III system description identifies nine Alliant GEM 46 solid strap-on motors.
- Publisher
- Boeing
- Title
- Delta III Payload Planners Guide
- Accessed Date
- 2026-10-29
- Note
- GEM family overview and exact configuration pages distinguish ignition and nozzle alternatives; historical catalogue lifecycle checked against the 2025 sheet.
- Publisher
- Northrop Grumman
- Title
- GEM Motor Series — product catalogue