A Graphite-Epoxy Motor (GEM) is a solid-fuel rocket motor (SRM) produced by Orbital ATK (Formerly Alliant Techsystems) with an epoxy composite casing. GEM boosters have been used on the Delta II, Delta III, and Delta IV, and are planned for future use on the Atlas V and Vulcan.
GEM-40The GEM-40 is a 40-inch-diameter (1,000 mm) SRM used on Delta II beginning in 1990. The use of composite materials allowed for booster casings lighter than the steel casings of the
Castor 4 SRMs they replaced. The first flight of a GEM-40 occurred in 1990 on a Delta II 7925. Delta II vehicles can use three, four, or nine GEM-40s. When using three or four boosters, all GEM-40s ignite on the ground, while on Delta IIs using nine boosters six are ignited on the ground, and the remaining three are ignited in the air when the first six burn out.
GEM-46The GEM-46 was a lengthened 46-inch-diameter (1,200 mm) solid motor originally developed for Delta III. This solid motor variant also included thrust vector control (TVC) to help steer the vehicle. After the discontinuation of the Delta III, GEM-46 motors (without TVC) were used on the Delta II to create the Delta II Heavy, which could only be launched from a modified pad at Cape Canaveral. Both Delta III and Delta II-Heavy used nine GEM-46s, with six ignited on the ground and three air-lit.
GEM-60The GEM-60 is a 60-inch-diameter (1,500 mm) solid motor used on the Delta IV family of
launch vehicles. These motors are available with and without TVC. A Delta IV can use two or four GEM-60s, and is classified as a Delta IV Medium+ launch vehicle.
GEM-63The GEM-63 is being developed as a drop-in replacement for the Aerojet Rocketdyne
AJ-60A booster used on the
Atlas V. An extended GEM-63, the GEM-63XL, is planned for use on the Vulcan launch vehicle.
On August 5, 1995, an air-lit GEM-40 failed to separate from a Delta II 7925 carrying Koreasat I. The excess mass of the booster resulted in the satellite reaching a lower than intended transfer orbit, which it was able to compensate for using on-board propellant.
On January 17, 1997, a Delta II (Delta 241) exploded due to a catastrophic failure in a GEM-40. The failure triggered the launch vehicle's self-destruct function 13 seconds after ignition. An Air Force investigation determined that the motor's casing had been damaged prior to launch, resulting in the casing splitting open soon after ignition.
