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Rocket Propulsion

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46 views7 pages

Rocket Propulsion

Uploaded by

Amrut
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Amantah Education

Aerospace Education

Rocket
Propulsion

New Delhi
Amantah Education
Aerospace Education

Types of Rocket Propulsion:


1. Chemical Propulsion
2. Electrical Propulsion
3. Nuclear Propulsion

1. Chemical Propulsion: This is the most common form of rocket propulsion


and relies on the chemical reaction between fuel and an oxidizer to produce
thrust. The two main types of chemical rockets are solid rocket motors
(SRMs) and liquid rocket engines.

- Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs): SRMs use a solid


mixture of fuel and oxidizer, which are packed
together in a combustion chamber. When
ignited, the propellant burns and produces hot
gases that are expelled through a nozzle,
creating thrust. SRMs are often used as boosters
to provide initial acceleration during launch.

- Liquid Rocket Engines: Liquid


rocket engines use liquid propellants,
typically liquid fuel and liquid
oxidizer, stored in separate tanks. The
propellants are pumped into a
combustion chamber, where they mix
and react, generating hot gases that
are expelled through a nozzle to
produce thrust. Liquid rocket engines
offer more control and flexibility than
SRMs and are commonly used in
upper stages of launch vehicles and
spacecraft.

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2. Electric Propulsion: Electric propulsion systems


use electrical energy to accelerate and expel
propellant to generate thrust. These systems are
more fuel-efficient but produce lower thrust
compared to chemical propulsion. The most
common types of electric propulsion are:

- Ion Thrusters:
Ion thrusters work by ionizing a
propellant, usually a gas such as
xenon, and accelerating the ions using
electric fields. The accelerated ions
are then expelled at high velocities,
creating thrust. Ion thrusters are
commonly used in long-duration
space missions and satellite station-
keeping.

- Hall Effect Thrusters: Hall effect


thrusters also ionize propellant
and accelerate the ions using
magnetic and electric fields. They
provide higher thrust compared
to ion thrusters and are used in
applications such as satellite
propulsion and interplanetary
missions.

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3. Nuclear Propulsion: Nuclear propulsion systems utilize the energy


released by nuclear reactions to generate thrust. The two main types are:

- Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP): NTP systems use a nuclear reactor


to heat a propellant, typically hydrogen, to high temperatures. The
heated propellant is then expelled through a nozzle to produce thrust.
NTP offers high thrust and efficiency but has limited use due to safety
concerns and regulatory restrictions.

- Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP): NEP systems convert the energy


from a nuclear reactor into electricity, which is then used to power
electric thrusters, such as ion thrusters. NEP provides high specific
impulse (fuel efficiency) but low thrust and is considered for long-
duration space missions.

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Characteristics of rocket propulsion:

1. Thrust: Thrust is the force exerted by a rocket propulsion system that


propels the rocket forward. It is generated by expelling high-velocity
exhaust gases in the opposite direction to achieve Newton's third law of
motion (action-reaction principle).

2. Specific Impulse: Specific impulse (Isp) is a measure of the efficiency of


a rocket propulsion system. It quantifies how effectively a rocket utilizes
its propellant to generate thrust. Specific impulse is typically expressed in
seconds and represents the thrust produced per unit of propellant mass
flow rate.

3. Thrust-to-Weight Ratio: The thrust-to-weight ratio (TWR) compares the


thrust generated by a rocket to its weight. It indicates the acceleration
capability of the rocket and determines how quickly it can overcome
Earth's gravity during launch.

4. Impulse Bit: Impulse bit, also known as delta-v (∆v), represents the
change in velocity a rocket can achieve by expending its propellant. It is a
crucial measure of a rocket's maneuverability and determines its ability
to perform orbital maneuvers, such as reaching a desired orbit or
changing orbits.

5. Propellant Mass Fraction: The propellant mass fraction refers to the


ratio of the mass of propellant carried by the rocket to the total initial
mass of the rocket (including the payload). It is an essential factor in
determining the rocket's overall performance and payload capacity.

6. Exhaust Velocity: Exhaust velocity is the velocity at which the exhaust


gases exit the rocket nozzle. It is a critical parameter for determining the
specific impulse and efficiency of a rocket propulsion system. Higher
exhaust velocities generally result in higher specific impulse and better
performance.

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7. Burn Time: Burn time is the duration for which the rocket propulsion
system operates and produces thrust. The burn time depends on the
amount of propellant carried and the propellant mass flow rate, which
affects the total impulse and achievable velocity.

8. Restart Capability: Some rocket propulsion systems, particularly liquid


rocket engines, can be designed to have restart capability. This allows the
engine to be shut down and then reignited during a mission, enabling
complex maneuvers and multi-stage operations.

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