NASA Agreement Aids in Landmine Removal

An agreement between Thiokol Propulsion, Science and Engineering Division in Brigham City, Utah, and Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL., has produced a more effective way to detonate landmines. The demining device uses NASA Reusable Solid Rocket Motor scrap propellant packed inside a high temperature flare to detonate landmines.

The flare, safe and easy to handle, is used to burn a hole in the landmine's case and ignites its explosive contents. When the explosives burn away, the mine is disabled.

Hundreds of innocent people and children are maimed or killed every day by the explosion of landmines. It is estimated that more than 110 million active mines are scattered in 70 countries with an equal number stockpiled around the world waiting to be planted, making the world wide proliferation of landmines vital.

Because the use of scrap propellant is free, the cost to the international community of neutralizing landmines is greatly lowered. The effort makes the first dual-use application of the RSRM propellant. With regard to NASA's RSRM program, the utilization of the scrap propellant will reduce waste and consequential environmental impacts.

Thiokol's device, tested successfully against eight different mines, will be published in the Humanitarian Demining Equipment Catalog, or the Book, which is made available to all demining organizations around the world.

The use of Space Shuttle scrap propellant is but one example of how NASA's commercial space research leads to improving the quality of life on Earth. Such innovative ideas and partnerships will continue keeping America on the cutting edge of technology development.