# Star 48

> American solid rocket motor and stage developed by Thiokol

**Wikidata**: [Q5949787](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5949787)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_48)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/star-48

## Summary
Star 48 is an American solid rocket motor and stage developed by Thiokol, part of the STAR family of rocket stages. It is designed for spacecraft propulsion and has been used in various interplanetary missions, including the New Horizons probe to Pluto. First introduced in 1982, it succeeded the Star 37 motor and remains a key component in space exploration.

## Key Facts
- **Manufacturer**: Thiokol (later part of Northrop Grumman).
- **Class**: Part of the STAR family of rocket stages.
- **Preceded by**: Star 37 solid rocket motor.
- **Diameter**: 1.2446 meters (per Northrop Grumman propulsion catalog).
- **Inception**: 1982.
- **Country of origin**: United States.
- **Aliases**: スター48B, スター37 (Japanese designations).
- **Notable missions**: Used in NASA’s New Horizons and Dawn missions.
- **Image**: [PAM-D rocket stage](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/PAM-D_rocket_stage.jpg).

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Star 48 used for?
A: The Star 48 is a solid rocket motor used for spacecraft propulsion, particularly in interplanetary missions requiring high thrust and reliability.

### Q: Who developed the Star 48?
A: It was developed by Thiokol, a leading manufacturer of solid rocket systems, later integrated into Northrop Grumman.

### Q: When was the Star 48 first introduced?
A: The Star 48 was introduced in 1982 as an advancement over its predecessor, the Star 37.

## Why It Matters
The Star 48 plays a critical role in space exploration by providing reliable propulsion for deep-space missions. Its solid rocket design ensures consistent performance in extreme conditions, enabling spacecraft to achieve the high velocities required for interplanetary travel. For example, its use in NASA’s New Horizons mission facilitated the first close-up study of Pluto, while the Dawn mission relied on Star 48 motors to explore the asteroid belt. As part of the STAR family, it builds on Thiokol’s legacy of innovation in propulsion systems, contributing to scientific discoveries and expanding humanity’s understanding of the solar system.

## Notable For
- **High thrust-to-weight ratio**: Optimized for efficient propulsion in space missions.
- **Interplanetary applications**: Key component in missions to Pluto, Ceres, and Vesta.
- **Versatility**: Adapted for use in both government and commercial launch systems.
- **Long operational history**: Continuously used since 1982, demonstrating enduring reliability.

## Body
### Development and Design
- **Manufacturer**: Thiokol, a company with extensive experience in solid rocket propulsion.
- **Family**: Part of the STAR series, succeeding the Star 37 motor.
- **Diameter**: 1.2446 meters, as specified in Northrop Grumman’s propulsion catalog.
- **Propellant**: Solid fuel, designed for single-burn applications.

### Applications
- **Notable Missions**:
  - **New Horizons** (2006): Provided propulsion for the Pluto flyby.
  - **Dawn** (2007): Enabled travel to the asteroid Vesta and dwarf planet Ceres.
  - **PAM-D** (Payload Assist Module): Used for satellite deployments.
- **Roles**: Primary propulsion for trajectory adjustments and escape velocity maneuvers.

### Specifications
- **Thrust**: Customizable variants (e.g., Star 48B) for mission-specific requirements.
- **Burn Time**: Designed for short, high-intensity burns to achieve desired velocities.
- **Reliability**: Solid-state design minimizes mechanical complexity and failure risk.

### Legacy
- **Successor**: Followed by the Q115871214 model, reflecting ongoing advancements in propulsion technology.
- **Cultural Impact**: Featured in NASA mission highlights and aerospace engineering literature.
- **Global Recognition**: Documented in multiple languages on Wikipedia, underscoring its international significance.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. [Source](https://www.northropgrumman.com/wp-content/uploads/NG-Propulsion-Products-Catalog.pdf)