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Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) help get the Space Shuttle in orbit.  The SRBs are attached to the large External Tank, which contains the LOX and LH₂ fuel used by the three Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs).  The SRBs basically lift the external tank and liquid fuel with the shuttle.

The SRBs will be part of the Ares system.

NASA announces a successful test of a new SRB
http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2006/nov/HQ_06356_Ares_Shuttle_Motor_Test.html

PROMONTORY, Utah - NASA's Space Shuttle Program successfully fired a reusable solid rocket motor Thursday, Nov. 16, at a Utah facility. The two-minute test provided important information for nighttime shuttle launches and for the development of the rocket that will carry the next human spacecraft to the moon.

The static firing of the full-scale, full-duration flight support motor was performed at 6 p.m. MST at ATK Launch Systems Group, a unit of Alliant Techsystems Inc. in Promontory, Utah, where the shuttle's solid rocket motors are manufactured.

The flight support motor, or FSM-13, burned for approximately 123 seconds, the same time each reusable solid rocket motor burns during an actual space shuttle launch. The Reusable Solid Rocket Motor Project Office at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., manages these tests to qualify any proposed changes to the rocket motor and to determine whether new materials perform as well as those now in use.

SRB's are known by other terms and corresponding acronyms - flight support motor (FSM), resuable solid rocket motor (RSRM).

Back in May of this year -

Alliant Techsystems, Inc.
Release date: May 1, 2006

ATK Conducts Full-Scale Space Shuttle Motor Test
Static Fire Test Regime Supports Human Space Flight

MINNEAPOLIS, May 1 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE:ATK) successfully tested a full-scale Reusable Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM) Friday in support of NASA's Space Shuttle program. The RSRM, designated as Flight Support Motor (FSM) No. 12, fired for approximately 123 seconds, the same duration each RSRM operates during an actual Space Shuttle Launch.

The flight support motor program is designed to continue verification of RSRM elements, including components, materials and processes. Static testing also provides the opportunity to evaluate or certify design, process and supplier modifications for the RSRM program. Today's test employed 711 instrumentation channels to evaluate 62 objectives. Preliminary data indicate all test objectives were met.

The RSRM consists of four solid propulsion segments that measure 126 feet in length and 12 feet in diameter when assembled. Of the motor's total weight of 1.25 million pounds, propellant accounts for 1.1 million pounds. During its 123-second action time, each RSRM generates an average thrust of 2.6 million pounds.

ATK is a $3.3 billion advanced weapon and space systems company employing approximately 15,000 people in 23 states. News and information can be found on the Internet at http://www.atk.com/ .

http://www.atk.com/RocketMotors/rocketmotors_intro.asp