Journal of Propulsion and Power · 2023 · 34 citations · 19 references
EngineeringAerospace EngineeringMechanical EngineeringCombustionFluid MechanicsPropulsionCombustion FundamentalsCombustion In Propulsion SystemsLiquid Fuel CombustionLiquid Rocket EnginesPropulsion SystemsRocket PropulsionDetonationDetonation-based PropulsionLaboratory TestingLiquid Propellant CombustionLiquid PropellantsNitrous OxideRocket CombustionRotating Detonation Engines
A lightweight, efficient rotating detonation engine (RDE) was essential to the project’s success. The study presents a demonstrator liquid‑propellant rocket powered by an RDE. The authors used nitrous oxide and propane, tested RDEs with different chamber geometries, built a conical‑geometry RDE in uncooled and regeneratively cooled versions, and integrated the successful regeneratively cooled engine into a demonstration rocket. The conical‑geometry RDE performed best, the regeneratively cooled version met all requirements, static tests confirmed adequate thrust and impulse, and the rocket achieved a successful flight— the first liquid‑fuel rocket to launch and fly solely on RDE propulsion.
This paper presents work on a demonstrator rocket powered by a rotating detonation engine (RDE) fed by liquid propellants. Key to the success of the project was the development of a suitably efficient and lightweight RDE. After selecting the propellants: nitrous oxide ([Formula: see text]) and propane ([Formula: see text]), laboratory tests were carried out on RDEs with different combustion chamber geometries. The conical geometry showed the best performance, and it was selected for further development; on this basis, the target RDE was designed and built in two versions: uncooled and regeneratively cooled. These were tested in laboratory conditions, but only the regeneratively cooled engine met the requirements. After successful laboratory testing of the engine, a demonstration rocket was designed and built. Static tests made in a vertical position confirmed that the rocket had sufficient operational performance (net thrust and total impulse). Ultimately, the liquid-propellant RDE-powered rocket made a successful flight. To the authors’ knowledge, it was the first liquid-fuel rocket in the world to take off and fly exclusively by means of RDE propulsion.
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P. Wolański · Proceedings of the Combustion Institute · 2012 · 1.1K citations
Journal of Propulsion and Power · 2006 · 815 citations
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K. Kailasanath · AIAA Journal · 2000 · 695 citations
Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering +17