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Tutorial Questions 1 2012

This document discusses space propulsion systems and provides examples of calculations related to solid and liquid rocket motors. [1] It defines the rocket equation and derives an expression for propellant consumption. [2] It describes features of solid rocket motors used on satellites, different propellant grain types, and how grain geometry affects thrust. [3] It also discusses factors that influence burn rates and provides examples of calculations involving burn time and chamber pressure.

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188 views2 pages

Tutorial Questions 1 2012

This document discusses space propulsion systems and provides examples of calculations related to solid and liquid rocket motors. [1] It defines the rocket equation and derives an expression for propellant consumption. [2] It describes features of solid rocket motors used on satellites, different propellant grain types, and how grain geometry affects thrust. [3] It also discusses factors that influence burn rates and provides examples of calculations involving burn time and chamber pressure.

Uploaded by

katie-smith-6455
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

MACE41212 , MACE61312 & MACE61212 Advanced Aero and Space Propulsion

Space Propulsion Tutorial Examples Sheet 1


Assume: g0 =9.81 ms-2 Gas constant R = 8.314JK-1mol-1 1. The rocket equation can be written as

c ln

M0 ME

a) Define each of the terms in this equation along with the assumptions made in its derivation b) Using the rocket equation derive an expression for the mass of the propellant consumed in terms of the final mass of the spacecraft 2. Describe the main features of a solid propellant rocket which may be used on board a satellite as an apogee boost motor. Describe the two principal divisions of propellant grain type that can be used in a solid propellant rocket. Identify a typical propellant and discuss its advantages and disadvantages. Include the typical performance that may be obtained by your chosen propellant. Explain how the geometry of the propellant grain in a solid propellant rocket may be used to give; a) near constant thrust, b) progressive thrust, c) regressive thrust, The burn rate of a solid propellant is generally a function of chamber pressure, describe the mechanisms that can cause an enhancement to the standard pressure determined burn rate in a solid propellant rocket motor. A solid propellant rocket motor, has a neutrally burning grain with a temperature sensitivity of 2%/C. When the propellant grain initial temperature is 20C the chamber pressure has a steady state level of 50bar for 2 minutes. Determine the steady state pressure level and burn time if the same propellant grain is heated to 40C. [Ans:7MPa, 86s] A composite solid propellant burns at a rate shown in figure Q7, the density of the propellant is 1680kgm-3, the combustion gas specific heat ratio is 1.2 and the molecular mass is 20.5 gmol-1. a) Calculate the ratio of the burning area to throat area, K, required for a steady combustion pressure P0 of 10MPa if the combustion temperature T0 is 3288K. [Ans: 332:1] b) If the burning-area ratio, K , were to decrease from the value determined in part (a) by 1% /sec how long would it take for the chamber pressure to reduce to half the original value? [Ans: 42s]

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Figure Q7. Burn rate characteristics of a composite solid propellant 8. Describe the main features of a liquid propulsion system used for a launch vehicle and comment on the various engine cycles that may be employed and the advantages and disadvantages of each cycle. A chemical liquid rocket motor uses a propellant with a molecular weight of 15, an adiabatic flame temperature of 3300K and a specific heat ratio of 1.4. If the motor has an ideal specific impulse of 300s and produces 500kN of thrust when the ambient pressure is 0.1MPa calculate the total chamber pressure and the nozzle throat area, assuming the exhaust jet is fully expanded and the specific heat ratio of the propellant remains constant. [Ans: 5.2MPa, 0.0646m2]

9.

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