Rocket Flashcards
Why is the oxidizer-rich staged combustion cycle more difficult to design compared to other cycles?
The oxidizer-rich staged combustion cycle is challenging due to the high reactivity and corrosiveness of the oxidizer-rich hot gas at high temperatures, requiring special materials for safe operation
Why isn’t a fuel-rich staged combustion cycle practical with kerosene propellant?
Using a fuel-rich staged combustion cycle with kerosene leads to excessive soot production, which can block the plumbing system, making it impractical for efficient operation
What is a full-flow staged combustion cycle, and which new rocket engines are using it?
The full-flow staged combustion cycle, where all fuel and oxidizer enter the pre-burner and become gaseous before combustion, is used in SpaceX’s Raptor and Blue Origin’s BE-4. This cycle ensures optimal mixing and combustion.
How is the geometry of the combustion chamber in a liquid rocket defined?
The geometry of a liquid rocket’s combustion chamber is defined to ensure droplets fully evaporate before impacting the chamber wall. This requires modelling based on the D2 law for evaporation.
What are the advantages of hybrid rockets?
Hybrid rockets offer several advantages, including lower explosion risk, non-toxic exhaust, cost-effectiveness, and high reliability.
What factors influence the regression rate in solid rockets?
Propellant formulation, grain geometry, pressure, and temperature.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of solid rocket motors?
Advantages include simplicity, reliability, and storability. Disadvantages are lack of throttle control and less efficiency (lower specific impulse) compared to liquid rockets.
Describe the two primary types of liquid rocket engines based on propellant.
Bipropellant engines use two separate propellants, typically a fuel and an oxidizer. Monopropellant engines use a single propellant that decomposes in the presence of a catalyst.
What are the key differences between pressure-fed and pump-fed liquid rocket engines?
Pressure-fed engines use tanks pressurized by an inert gas to feed propellant into the combustion chamber, while pump-fed engines use turbopumps driven by engine power.
What are the environmental and handling concerns associated with different types of rocket propellants?
Solid propellants can be hazardous to manufacture and handle due to their explosive nature. Liquid propellants, especially hypergolic ones, can be toxic and require careful handling.
What are the current trends and future directions in rocket propulsion technology?
Trends include the development of reusable rocket components, increased efficiency and reliability, and exploration of new propulsion methods such as electric or nuclear thermal rockets.
