Patent ID: 7503165

Claim:
A propulsion system, comprising: a hybrid rocket motor case having a proximal end and a distal end, the motor case defining an interior volume including a combustion chamber at the proximal end, wherein the motor case is configured to hold solid rocket fuel; a fuel tank coupled to the proximal end of the motor case, the fuel tank defining an internal volume configured to hold a fluid oxidizer; a partition interposed between the motor case and the fuel tank, wherein at least one access passageway extends through the partition, the access passageway providing exterior access to the interior volume of the motor case or the internal volume of the fuel tank while the hybrid rocket motor is coupled to the fuel tank, wherein the at least one access passageway comprises a motor case access passageway, the motor case access passageway having a first opening in communication with the interior volume of the motor case and a second opening in an external wall of the partition and wherein the first opening communicates with the combustion chamber.