Pyrotechnics is the science and craft of creating such things as fireworks, safety matches, oxygen candles, explosive bolts and other fasteners, parts of automotive airbags, as well as gas-pressure blasting in mining, quarrying, and demolition.
In the aerospace context, pyrotechnics refers to the use of fireworks-like devices, usually in the form of small explosive charges, that are used for a variety of purposes such as signaling, separation, propulsion, deployment and destruction. These pyrotechnic devices are designed to ignite quickly, burn brightly, and perform their intended function with minimal risk to the aircraft or its crew.
Examples of pyrotechnics in the aerospace context include:
- Ejection seats: Pyrotechnic charges are used to deploy the parachute and eject the pilot from the aircraft in the event of an emergency.
- Emergency beacons: Small pyrotechnic charges are used to deploy emergency beacons that emit a signal to help rescue crews locate a crash site.
- Separation devices: Pyrotechnic charges are used to separate rocket stages, payload fairings, and other structures from a rocket or spacecraft.
- Propulsion systems: Pyrotechnic devices are used as a means to ignite rocket motors and other propulsion systems.
- Emergency destruct systems: Pyrotechnic devices are used as a last resort to destroy a malfunctioning spacecraft or rocket before it falls back to Earth.
Pyrotechnic devices are highly regulated and must meet strict safety and performance standards, They are usually tested extensively before being used on aerospace systems, to ensure the safety and reliability of the device and the system it is deployed on.
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