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Delta
ATK produces three versions of the
Graphite Epoxy Motor (GEM), which provide reliable and low-cost solid
propulsion for the Boeing Delta family of expendable launch vehicles.
GEM-40
First flown in 1991, the 40-inch-diameter GEM-40 is a strap-on
booster system developed to increase the payload-to-orbit capability
of the Delta II vehicle. The GEM-40 flies in three, four, or nine-motor
configurations depending on payload requirements. The three-motor and
four motor configurations are ground ignited. The nine-motor configuration
ignites six motors on the ground and three in the air. The GEM 40 also
comes in a vectorable nozzle model.
GEM-46
The 46-inch-diameter GEM 46 is used to launch the heavy version of the Delta II vehicle. Nine fixed-nozzle GEM-46 strap-on boosters are flown on the heavy version of the Delta II, with six ignited on the ground and three ignited in the air.
GEM-60
The 60-inch-diamter GEM-60 is a strap-on booster system that flies on the Delta IV launch vehicle in two-motor or four-motor configurations and with either fixed and vectorable nozzles. The GEM-60 flew on the inaugural flight of the Delta IV in 2002, which also was the first flight of the U.S. Air Force Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Program and continues to support Delta IV launches on a regular basis.
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